Our Lady of the Rosary Mother Church

Our Lady of the Rosary Mother Church
At the heart of Olhão, the solid Igreja Matriz stands at the Praça da Restauração.

Built in the 17th century with donations made by the fishermen, is is also known for having been the fist stone building of the city.

The Baroque façade, richly decorated with volutes, exhibits a shield on the fronton, flanked by two angels.

To the left, the bell-tower dominates all the building, rising outlined against the sky.

At the single nave inside, the main chapel and the retable, from the 18th century, exhibit valuable gilded wood-work.

On the ceiling there is a fresco from the 17th century representing Our Lady of the Rosary.

The secondary altars display images of the Crucified Lord and of a Saint Apostle, from the 18th century, as well as various religious art items that embellish the church.

At the back of the Mother Church stands the chapel of Our Lady of the Distressed, specially cherished by seafarers and their families, which used to keep its doors open day and night in order to receive the pleas of those who tried to appease the tempests with their prayers.