St. James Church

St. James Church
A Romanesque church from the 13th century, it was repeatedly altered: in 1362, the Chapel of Our Lady of Piety was built, changing the building into a curious Gothic monument; during the 15th century, the Cabrais Pantheon was annexed, later restored in the 17th century; the façade was renewed and the bell-tower built in the 18th century.

It acted as the mother church of Belmonte until the construction of a new temple, and is still the stage of some religious cerimonies.

The altarpiece is decorated with 16th-century frescoes depicting Our Lady, St James and St Peter.

At the Chapel of Our Lady of Piety, built by order of Lady Maria Gil Cabral, daughter of the Bishop of Guarda, Dom Gil Cabral, visitors may admire, besides the founder´s tomb, an expressive Pietà, carved from a single granite stone found in the region.

The old temple had other remarkable features, namely the Gothic arch, in a flamboyant style, which sheltered the statue of Our Lady of Hope, now displayed at the Mother Church, the Renaissance pulpit and the font where all the christians born at Belmonte were baptized, thus including Pedro Álvares Cabral.