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The
construction
of
the
See
began
in
1546,
according
to
a
project
by
architect
Afonso
Álvares,
who
opted
for
the
mannerist
style
abroad,
retaining
a
harmonious
interior
with
three
naves
of
the
same
height,
of
late
Renaissance
inspiration.
The
church
was
consecrated
only
in
1574,
when
it
had
no
sacristy,
or
other
dependencies.
In
the
following
centuries
some
changes
have
been
made
thanks
to
episcopal
action.
The
1755
earthquake
caused
serious
damage
to
the
main
facade,
whose
reconstruction
began
the
following
year.
In
1772,
D.
Frei
Miguel
de
Bolhões
and
Sousa
had
the
bell
tower
built
a
little
away
from
the
building,
over
the
old
medieval
tower
of
the
gates
of
the
sun,
which
marked
the
southern
entrance
into
the
castle
wall.
In
1810,
during
the
Napoleonic
wars,
a
fire
partially
consumed
the
interior
of
the
church.
Outstanding
a
sober,
baroque
and
mannerist
architecture,
the
See
of
Leiria
has
some
similarities
to
those
of
Portalegre
and
Miranda
do
Douro
and
also
bears
some
vestiges
of
gothic
heritage.
It
has
Latin
cross
plant
and
three
naves
of
equal
height,
separated
by
pillars.
The
maneer-style
chancel,
dated
the
seventeenth
century
and
is
by
Baltasar
Álvares
and
Friar
João
Turriano.
It
integrates
the
altarpiece
with
paintings
by
Simão
Rodrigues,
which
portray
episodes
of
the
life
of
the
Virgin
Mary.
Two
large
baroque
organs
that
overlap
two
side
chairs
complete
the
decoration.
