Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Faro > Monchique > Monchique > Ceiceira
The Monchique Parish Church, also known as the Church of Our Lady of the Conception, is located in Largo da Igreja, in the Ceiceira area, in the center of Monchique village. Surrounded by a cobbled churchyard and integrated into the urban fabric, its location allows for easy discovery in the heart of the town, which is part of the mountainous municipality of Monchique.
This remarkable religious building is a historical point of interest in the Algarve region, classified as a Property of Public Interest. Its construction began between the 15th and 16th centuries, and the church underwent various modifications and expansions over time. The building was significantly damaged by the 1755 earthquake, having subsequently undergone extensive reconstruction work. There are indications that suggest the church may have been built on the site of a primitive mosque, revealing its long and rich history.
The Monchique Parish Church stands out for its mixture of architectural styles, although it retains original elements of great value. Its portals, in particular, are notable examples of the Manueline style, an artistic current of great expression in Portugal. The main portal, with its characteristic broken arch, is flanked by twisted columns, topped by pinnacles. Its capitals reveal rich sculpture, highlighting two human heads, as if guarding the entrance. The polylobed shape and rayed design of this portal are considered rare details in Manueline art, lending it a unique character. Above, an oculus, also in Manueline style, complements the composition. The side portals, of more sober design, are also from the same period.
Inside, the church is organized into three naves, separated by columns whose capitals, decorated with twisted cords, echo the work present on the main door. In the chancel, the highlight is the 18th-century Baroque altarpiece, adorned with Joanine style gilded carving. This work, with its tripartite structure, features a wide axial tribune, flanked by Solomonic columns. One can observe the representation of angels holding the moon and the sun, and figures of atlantes supporting part of the ensemble. The tabernacle, in the form of a small temple, also deserves attention. In the center of the chancel, an 18th-century image of Our Lady of the Conception is attributed to the master sculptor Machado de Castro.
The various side chapels of the temple also offer elements of great interest. The Chapel of the Most Holy Sacrament, for example, features a Baroque altarpiece and an unusual set of 17th-century azulejos that cover the Manueline vault and part of the walls, with representations such as Saint Francis saving souls and Saint Michael fighting the Devil. In the Chapel of Our Lady of Carmo, an 18th-century altarpiece made of waxed chestnut wood stands out for its rare convex plan, uncommon in the region. The interior of the church also houses a sacred treasure, with various images and cult pieces, some originating from the former Convent of Nossa Senhora do Desterro, and a small museum space where liturgical instruments are displayed.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 37.3191021,-8.5558187
Coordinates DMS: 37°19'8.8"N 08°33'20.9"W
Weather Monchique
On-duty Pharmacy Monchique
