A DEVOTIONAL SPACE OF THE PORTUGUESE COURT: THE CHURCH OF NOSSA SENHORA DA CONCEIÇÃO DE VILA VIÇOSA (SEVENTHEENTH AND EIGTHEENTH CENTURIES)

Abstract

This investigation is based on the analysis of the Immaculate Conception by the portuguese Court in the reign of D. Pedro II and D. João V, at the church of Vila Viçosa. We were interested in discovering if the offerings of the royal family and the portuguese nobility to the Patroness of Portugal, through the Régia Confraria de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, would be relevant to their worship. The main sources used for this investigation were the inventories of the goods of the brotherhood, completed in 1679 and 1719. The analysis of the documents revealed a considerable amount of jewellery and objects offered to the Patroness of Portugal, confirming that the church is a relevant space of worship.

Keywords

• vila viçosa
• imaculada conceição
• confraria
• devoção
• ofertas