The initiative, promoted by the Quake – Lisbon Earthquake Museum, aims to reinforce the importance of a culture of prevention, protection, and resilience in a territory where historical heritage is fundamental to the community's identity and future.
The Church of Santiago, located next to the Castle of Óbidos, was built in 1186 by D. Sancho I. Affected by the 1531 earthquake, it was devastated by the Earthquake of November 1, 1755, still preserving fragments of its original portico.
Its reconstruction, between 1765 and 1772, was overseen by master builders António Néri, Leonardo da Silva, and José Teixeira, who were also responsible for work on the Sanctuary of Senhor Jesus da Pedra, sharing some architectural and decorative solutions.
Leased to the Municipality in 1989 for cultural purposes, the Church of Santiago has housed a bookstore since 2013, a symbol of Óbidos Literary Town and a UNESCO Creative City of Literature, a distinction awarded in 2015.
