Viseu - Igreja da Misericórdia

Chief Viriathus ("Viriato") successfully led the Lusitanians here in their resistance against the advancing Romans in the second century BC, until the latter were able to kill Viriathus and also conquer this area. Various milestones of Roman roads crossing here have been preserved. After the invasion of the Suebi and Visigoths in the 6th century AD, Viseu became a bishop's see.

From the beginning of the 8th century, the region was ruled by Moors. During the Reconquista, Viseu also remained contested. In 1027, King Alfonso V of León fell during the siege of Viseu. Ferdinand I of León was finally able to conquer the region from the Arabs in 1057.

During the revolution of 1383, Viseu suffered some destruction, whereupon King D. João I had the town re-fortified.

The Igreja da Misericórdia is located in front of the Cathedral. The construction of the church began in 1775, with the master mason António da Costa Faro responsible for the work and perhaps also the author of the design of the rococo façade.