Versão portuguesa aqui.

GPS 38.43290336894531, -28.45104534581105

The Church of São Mateus is located in the parish of São Mateus, in the municipality of Madalena, on Pico Island, in the Azores. It is one of the richest and most majestic on the island.

History

It is believed that the primitive temple that existed in the parish of São Mateus must have been coeval with the founding of the respective parish, one of the oldest on the island. The date of its construction is unknown, although documents confirm its existence as early as 1542.

The current church, under the invocation of São Mateus, began to be built in 1838 outside the primitive temple, by that time already small for the local population and quite ruined. It was completed in 1842, according to the cartouche on its pediment.

The feast of the patron saint takes place on the 21st of September, also with great crowds. This coincides with a parish vote, which consists of the wide distribution of rosquilhas to all pilgrims. The panorama of the procession is unique.

On July 1, 1962, this temple was elevated to the category of Diocesan Sanctuary by decree of the then 36th Bishop of Angra, D. Manuel Afonso de Carvalho.

Characteristics

33 meters long, it has three naves supported by heavy pilasters. It presents the curiosity of an oil painting representing an apostle, on each of the pilasters. On the ceiling of the chancel, a detailed scene from Ecce Homo is painted in fresco.

Among the various side chapels, Senhor Bom Jesus stands out, although it may date from a little later. The image of "Ecce Homo" found there has artistic value. It was offered in 1862 by a son of the parish, Francisco Ferreira Goulart, upon his return from the village of Iguape, in the then province of São Paulo, in Brazil, where an identical image is worshipped.

Precious for its diadem and for the covers that have been offered to it over the decades, this image has its big party, one of the biggest in the Azores, on the 6th of August. In 1975, this image underwent restoration, maintaining its original features.

Versão portuguesa aqui.

GPS 38.43290336894531, -28.45104534581105

The Church of São Mateus is located in the parish of São Mateus, in the municipality of Madalena, on Pico Island, in the Azores. It is one of the richest and most majestic on the island.

History

It is believed that the primitive temple that existed in the parish of São Mateus must have been coeval with the founding of the respective parish, one of the oldest on the island. The date of its construction is unknown, although documents confirm its existence as early as 1542.

The current church, under the invocation of São Mateus, began to be built in 1838 outside the primitive temple, by that time already small for the local population and quite ruined. It was completed in 1842, according to the cartouche on its pediment.

The feast of the patron saint takes place on the 21st of September, also with great crowds. This coincides with a parish vote, which consists of the wide distribution of rosquilhas to all pilgrims. The panorama of the procession is unique.

On July 1, 1962, this temple was elevated to the category of Diocesan Sanctuary by decree of the then 36th Bishop of Angra, D. Manuel Afonso de Carvalho.

Characteristics

33 meters long, it has three naves supported by heavy pilasters. It presents the curiosity of an oil painting representing an apostle, on each of the pilasters. On the ceiling of the chancel, a detailed scene from Ecce Homo is painted in fresco.

Among the various side chapels, Senhor Bom Jesus stands out, although it may date from a little later. The image of "Ecce Homo" found there has artistic value. It was offered in 1862 by a son of the parish, Francisco Ferreira Goulart, upon his return from the village of Iguape, in the then province of São Paulo, in Brazil, where an identical image is worshipped.

Precious for its diadem and for the covers that have been offered to it over the decades, this image has its big party, one of the biggest in the Azores, on the 6th of August. In 1975, this image underwent restoration, maintaining its original features.