Records show that the second most-important church in Monchique was built upon the orders of King Sebastian of Portugal in the 1500s after he visited Monchique. Perhaps understandably, he had it named after the saint that shared his regal name.Situated on the southern side of town, from the outside it looks closer to a fortress compared to the florid decoration of other churches in the region. This harks back to the era when Portugal was ruled by the Muslim kingdoms of North Africa and local Christians felt threatened in practicing their faith.Inside, the Igreja São Sebastião is much more ornate, with a dramatic altar canopy that is thought to have been removed from the Convento Nossa Senhora do Desterro after its destruction by the great earthquake of1755.
Address
Attraction type
