St Burcio

The simulacrum of the martyr St Burcio measures 126 cm in length and 48 cm in height (including the mantle). He is displayed lying on his right side, with both body and face turned toward the viewer. The face and hair are represented by an unpainted molded fabric mask. In contrast, the hands are covered with metallic lace gloves, and the forearms, legs, and feet are wrapped in gauze with vegetal motifs. The knees are bent, with the soles of the feet resting against the back of the display case.

Due to the transparency of the materials, the relics inside are partially visible. His head rests on a high cushion. The left arm lies fully extended, while the right is bent, with the forearm and hand placed at the waist. In his closed right hand, he holds a long palm leaf wrapped in green fabric and a small bunch of polychrome flowers.

The simulacrum is displayed in a dedicated glass case embedded in the wall of the main chapel of the Palácio dos Marqueses de Pombal (Oeiras), on the Gospel side. The body rests on a stucco support featuring a central cartela with the following inscription in gold capital letters, translated as “BODY OF THE MARTYR ST BURCIO / FOUND [WITH HIS] PROPER NAME”.