The Cathedral of Portalegre, also known as the Parish Church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção (Our Lady of the Assumption), was commissioned by King João III in the 16th century and its first bishop was Julião de Alva. Built in a late Renaissance style, the church underwent alterations between 1737 and 1798, already in the Baroque style, as can be seen from the stonework of the porticoes on the façade and the bell towers. Inside, illuminated by 28 windows, we can find 17th-century tile panels and a remarkable set of Mannerist paintings, unique in the country. The altarpieces of the high altar and of the side chapels contain ninety-six paintings, in which various Portuguese artists participated during the 16th and 17th centuries. To the right of the altar is the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament (Santíssimo) and to the left that of St. Peter. The sacristy is covered with 18th century tiles depicting the “Escape to Egypt”. The cloister was completed in the 18th cen-tury. On the north side is the old Episcopal Palace, which was the Bishops’ residence until 1910 and was con-nected to the Cathedral from the inside. The Portalegre Cathedral has been classified as a National Monu-ment since 1910.