Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião

The Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião is located in the old city center of Ponta Delgada near the Portas da Cidade.

Its construction dates back to a hermitage dedicated to Saint Sebastian , the city's patron saint, erected after a great plague struck the city.

The construction of the current temple took place between 1531 and 1547 , having received aid from Kings John III and Sebastian . The magnificent Manueline-style portals that have survived to this day date from this period. The doors on the side facades, in Baroque style , are made of basalt from the island.

Over the centuries, the building underwent profound transformations as a whole, typical of the Gothic style in Portugal, with Manueline and, later, Baroque details. In the 16th century , the bell tower stood in the northeast corner. In the first half of the 18th century , the temple was the subject of an extensive building campaign.Læs mere