Description:
One of the objectives of this book is to portray architecture as a living record and its positive contribution towards transnational identity. This idea is explored through the church of “Our Lady of the Gate of Heaven”, Telheiras in the suburbs of Lisbon that spans over four hundred years. This church is historically unique in relation to the political and religio-cultural affairs of Sri Lanka and Portugal during the Portuguese overseas expansions of 16th and 17th centuries. It goes down in history as the one and only building erected in Portugal by a member of a Sri Lankan royal family. It was originally built by Dom Joao of Kandy, known as the Black Prince.. An attempt has been made to document all available evidence for the benefit of future research and also for archival purposes. It is the first time a formal documentation including a set of measured drawings has been made on the architectural style of the church.