Keystone, Montemore-o-Nov, Portugal

Description

Keystone, in granite, made in the manuelino style. It is a large piece that features on its “face” a decoration with the "Cross of Christ" star-clad and surrounded by a rope. On the side, we can still observe from where the arches started. Description of the archaeological site: This piece comes from the Chapel of São Jorge, in the Church of Santa Maria do Bispo, founded at the beginning of the 14th century. This was the main and largest church of Montemor-o-Novo. Between 1529 and 1534 it was completely rebuilt in the Manuelino style (portuguese late gothic), leaving behind very few vestiges of the medieval building. In 1843, with the transfer of the parish to the village outside the walls, it was abandoned and quickly fell into ruin. From this church today only remains part of the facade with its Manuelino portal and the walls at the opposite end of the building. This archaeological piece is part of the collection of the Archaeological Museum of Montemor-o-Novo.