Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo

Church in Guimarães

Portugal, Guimaraes, Paco Ducal, Estatua De Dom Afonso Henriques
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Stegop

According to tradition, the origins of the small church of São Miguel do Castelo date back to the 12th century when Count Dom Henrique (Henry of Burgundy) is said to have built it. It was believed that this was where he baptised his son, the 1st King of Portugal, Dom Afonso Henriques. Although officially constructed in the 13th century, the church’s Romanesque style and compact size exude simplicity in its decor. The floor of the church is said to be the resting place of the great warriors who fought with D. Afonso Henriques in the Battle of S. Mamede.

Unfortunately, the church fell into disrepair during the early 19th century. It was later restored twice in 1874 and 1940. The church was designated as a National Monument in 1910.

Statue of D. Afonso Henriques

In front of the church is a statue of the founder of Portugal – D. Afonso Henriques. Cast in bronze in 1887, it’s the work of the renowned Portuguese sculptor Antonio Soares dos Reis.

 

The Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Guimarães!

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Visiting Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo

Hours:

10.00 a.m.-6.00p.m. (last entry 5.30 p.m.)

Closed: 1 January, Easter sunday, 1 May and 25 December


Address: Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo, Rua Conde Dom Henrique, Guimaraes, Portugal
Duration: 5 minutes

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