Porto Moniz Parish Church

The municipality of Porto Moniz is home to one of the most beautiful churches on the north coast of Madeira: the Porto Moniz Parish Church. Its origin takes us back to the 16th century, when Francisco Moniz founded a small chapel on the coast dedicated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Due to the 1748 earthquake, a new church had to be built, this time on a higher and more sheltered site.

The Porto Moniz Parish Church, also known as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish Church, exhibits a unique, charming interior. As you enter, your eyes are drawn to the altarpiece on the high altar, a 17th century work by master carvers: Manuel Pereira de Almeida and Manuel da Silva. Also noteworthy is the organ from a workshop in Lamego. Although its architecture is very simple, the Porto Moniz Parish Church has two side chapels with fantastic altarpieces from the Rococo to the Neoclassical periods.

Because of all it represents and all its characteristics, the Porto Moniz Parish Church is one of the points of interest you must add to your visit to the island of Madeira. Visit it and learn about the religious history of the north coast.