Igreja Matriz de Monchique

Igreja Matriz
© Peter Broster / CC BY-SA 3.0
Igreja de Matriz - Monchique
© Mike Finn / CC BY-SA 3.0
Manueline doorway
© Martin Robson / CC BY-SA 3.0
Interior of Igreja Matriz - Monchique
© Bextrel / CC BY-SA 3.0

Monchique Parish Church

Monchique's primary church, the Igreja Matriz has been standing in the town since the sixteenth century, around the time when Henry VIII was King of England. Its structure is a fine example of local Manueline architecture, although it is also somewhat unusual in the fact it demonstrates a nautical theme despite its relative distance from the coast. Check out the tops of its columns in the main nave to see a pattern of twisted ropes carved out of the stone.

Other objects of religious art include a statue of the Virgin Mary attributed to the sculptor Machado de Castro. In addition, the church houses a miniature museum dedicated to a handful of other historic religious artefacts.

Other attractions near Igreja Matriz de Monchique

Monchique

Monchique travel guide »

Rising up between the Algarve and neighbouring Alentejo region is the Serra de Monchique, a range of rolling mountains clad in heavy forest. Here you will find the highest point on the Algarve; standing at 902m (2,959ft) is the peak of Fóia...