Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the Paes do Amaral exercised an important power and influence in the village of Mangualde, in which they were chief captains and main benefactors. Totally active in society, occupying high dignitary positions, they are due achievements and constructions that today remain an integral part of Mangualdense history and heritage.
At the beginning of the 18th century, Simão Paes do Amaral, 6th Lord of the House of Mangualde, inspired by the models and customs of European courts, took the initiative to transform the old family houses, originally from the 16th century, into a baroque palace that would become known, from the 19th century, as Palácio dos Condes de Anadia. In 1721, as Provider and protector of Mercy, he ordered the construction of a Church to establish its own headquarters for the Brotherhood, dating back to the 17th century. It owes its construction to Gaspar Ferreira, an architect from Coimbra, who is credited with authoring the Joanina Library at the University of Coimbra and who, given the architectural design and presence in the space, in the same period, can be assumed as the presumptive author. of the Palace of the Counts of Anadia.
After the years of construction, the passage of masons and master builders, the Igreja da Misericórdia was completed in 1724, presenting a baroque language and architecture similar to manor and manor buildings (such as the Anadia Palace). The interior is covered and decorated with gilded carvings, sculptures, paintings and 18th century tiles referring to religious themes. The tribune was destined for Paes do Amaral, on the epistle side, allowing visibility to religious celebrations, while protecting the family from the most curious eyes of the population. Simão, its founder, is buried in the high altar, on the gospel side, identified by the Family Coat of Arms and, visibly highlighted as its patron, in the inscription engraved on the opposite side.
In the 19th century, along with their connection to Misericórdia, the Paes do Amaral were involved in the Confraternity of Nossa Senhora do Castelo, whose cult and devotion to the Virgin was very particular to them. In this way, the family ordered the construction of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Castelo at the highest point in the village of Mangualde, surrounded by history, legends and traditions. The work was made official on January 11, 1819, by Miguel Paes do Amaral e Menezes, Juiz de Fora in Coimbra and Commander of the Order of Malta who, in addition to building the temple, aimed to create a green park, with trees and fountains, just as he had done with the garden and woods adjacent to the Anadia Palace. Connecting with the space, there was already a Staircase built in 1750 by Bernardo Paes de Castelo Branco (son of Simão Paes do Amaral) with four small chapels of Marian invocation surmounted by the coat of arms of the Order of Malta. Inside, there are sculptures in ancient stone, respectively: Nª Senhora da Conceição, Nª Senhora da Encarnação, Nª Senhora da Visitação and Nª Senhora da Assunção.
Still under construction, the Church was inaugurated on September 6, 1832, and the following day, the procession to translate the Image of Nossa Senhora do Castelo (date that still marks the festivities in its invocation – 7 and 8 of September). Of sober architecture, in the neoclassical style, the bell tower stands out in the centre, similar to that of the great cathedrals. Inside, it follows the same language and is decorated with gilded carvings, sculptures and religious-themed paintings and boasts a stucco ceiling with references to the City of Mangualde and the Sovereign Order of Malta. As in the Misericórdia Church, the main altar was intended to represent the presence of the Paes do Amaral, through the two tribunes, on the gospel side and on the epistle side, and the tombs of its founder, Miguel Paes do Amaral e Menezes, and his brothers, José de Sá Paes e Menezes and Bernardo de Castelo Branco, with their respective tribute tombstones.
The two churches were later donated by the Paes do Amaral to the Santa Casa da Misericórdia. In 2022, in a partnership established between Palácio Anadia, Santa Casa da Misericórdia and the Municipality of Mangualde, the three monuments – Palácio dos Condes de Anadia, Igreja da Misericórdia and Ermida da Sra. do Castelo – are united in a script, with guided visits, aiming to value their heritage, the material and immaterial culture and the history of the family that unites them and gave them origin: the Paes do Amaral.