Monchique Main Church or Church of Our Lady of the Conception

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Faro > Monchique > Monchique > Ceiceira

Location and Importance

Located in the town of Monchique, in the Algarve, the Igreja Matriz de Monchique is an important tourist and cultural landmark, classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1997.

Architecture

The building presents a mixture of styles, but the Manueline style is the most prominent, especially in the portals. The main portal, with a pointed arch and twisted columns, is a rare example of this style, with unique details such as human heads sculpted on the capitals.

Church Interior

The church has three naves separated by columns with decorated capitals, similar to the main portal. The interior is impressive, highlighting the baroque altarpiece of the chancel, which includes images of angels holding the Moon and the Sun.

Chapels and Points of Interest

, The Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament has a baroque altarpiece and 17th-century tiles with religious scenes.

, In the Chapel of Our Lady of Carmel, there is a rare 18th-century chestnut wood altarpiece.

, The Side Chapel in Manueline style has simple ribbed vaults and figurative tiles from the 17th or 18th century.

Image of Our Lady of the Conception

In the center of the chancel is the image of Our Lady of the Conception, which dates from the 18th century and is attributed to the sculptor Machado de Castro.

Sacred Treasure

The church houses a sacred treasure, with liturgical pieces and vestments from the old convent.

Museum

The church includes a small museum where liturgical instruments are exhibited, offering an opportunity to learn more about the local religious history.

History and Evolution

The church was built between the 15th and 16th centuries and has undergone several modifications over the centuries. It was damaged by the 1755 earthquake and restored several times. In the 19th and 20th centuries, it underwent major restoration works, including the installation of new chapels and the restoration of various parts of the building.