The Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário ( pt, Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário) is a 16th-century

Azorean ) , motto= ( en, "Rather die free than subjected in peace") , anthem=( en, "Anthem of the Azores") , image_map=Locator_map_of_Azores_in_EU.svg , map_alt=Location of the Azores within the European Union , map_caption=Location of the Azores wi ...

temple in the civil parish of

Nossa Senhora do Rosário Nossa Senhora do Rosário is a civil parish and most populated area in the municipality of Lagoa, on the island of São Miguel, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. With a population of 5396 inhabitants in 2011, the parish covers an area ...

, municipality of Calheta, being reconstructed after the ''Mandado de Deus'' earthquake that affected the islands of São Jorge and

Pico Pico may refer to: Places The Moon * Mons Pico, a lunar mountain in the northern part of the Mare Imbrium basin Portugal * Pico, a civil parish in the municipality of Vila Verde * Pico da Pedra, a civil parish in the municipality of Ribei ...

History

The primitive church was likely constructed in the 16th century. On 9 July 1757, the church was seriously damaged by the earthquake that became known, colloquially, as the ''Mandado de Deus'' (''Sent from God'')". It was Father Matias Pereira de Sousa, who initiated the reconstruction of the church, at the same time burying 84 victims of the ''Mandado'' in two common graves. The restoration works were placed under the supervision and direction of architect José de Avelar de Melo. In 1761, the construction was completed. On 29 May 1895, the organ, which was built in Horta, for Manuel de Serpa da Silva for 900$000

réis The first official currency of Brazil was the real (pronounced ; pl. ''réis''), with the symbol Rs$. As the currency of the Portuguese empire, it was in use in Brazil from the earliest days of the colonial period, and remained in use until 1942 ...

, by the artist Marcelino Lima, and installed in the lateral space to the left of the altar. Later it was transferred to the choir, becoming destroyed since it could not fit in the space.Revista Insula (13 June 1990) On 1 January 1980, the village of Topo was destroyed by an earthquake.

Architecture

The principal facade consists of a single storey nave with massive pediment, surmounted by stone cross, completed in stone masonry, with the corners in natural stone, while the remainder whitewashed. A two-door rectangular portico is flanked by square pilasters and surmounted by cornice and lintel. The square-pilasters extend vertically into the pediment, and are topped by ornate relief, while on either side of the pediment are vegetal elements. Apart from the main doorway, the facade is broken by three large rectangular windows (two on either side of, and one over, the doorway), in addition to two oculae over the lateral windows. At the apex of the pediment is a medallion representing ''Our Lady of the Rosary''. To the left of the door is the two-storey bell-tower, topped by a pyramidal spire and pinnacles on each corner. The interior of the church contains many valuable religious art, of which its gilded retables are its most prized. In addition, it is also decorated by several paint panels, that include the ''Resurrection'', the ''Last Supper'', the ''Ascension of Christ'', and ''Four Evangelists'', among others. Further, three silver-plate lamps and pulpit, mark the influence of the Baroque period on the temple.

References

;Notes ;Sources * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosario (Calheta) Nossa Senhora Rosario Calheta Buildings and structures in Calheta, Azores