Mother Church
Igreja Matriz de Monção, Rua de João de Pinho, Monção 4950-471
Phone: +351 251 652 259
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Completed in 1308, the Gothic Igreja Matriz is considered an important example of the Romanesque style, which lasted longer in Northern Portugal than elsewhere. The portal is outstanding, with its sculpted acanthus flowers. Inside, the cenotaph of the legendary heroine of Monção, Dieu-la-Dieu, was erected in 1679 by a descendant. Besieged by the Spanish in 1368, Dieu-la-Dieu used the remnants of the town’s flour supply to make bread rolls and pelt the Spaniards, taunting them that their siege was futile. Dieu-la-Dieu features, complete with rolls, on the Monção coat of arms. The baroque altars and azulejo tiling are from the 17th century.
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