São Sebastião Church

The centre of Câmara de Lobos invites you to take a stroll and enjoy the city's unique atmosphere. It is a town rich in traditions, stories and, of course, a rich historical heritage. One of its most outstanding elements is the São Sebastião Church, which is six centuries old.

It was 1426 when, by order of Prince Henry the Navigator, the then-São Sebastião Chapel was built in honour of this saint. Later, in the 17th and 18th centuries, the growth of the local population led to works being carried out on this temple. It was necessary to renovate and expand the chapel, which thus became what is now São Sebastião Church.

This is a Baroque religious monument. It has three naves and a high altar with gilded woodwork. The Santíssimo Sacramento chapel comprises an 18th-century tile panel representing the Agnus Dei.

Outside, we should highlight the pebble-stone family crest of João Gonçalves Zarco, the navigator who discovered the island and lived here between 1420 and 1424. On 20 January, the feast in honour of São Sebastião is celebrated here.