Saint Stephen Church

Parish Church. Dedicated to the martyr Saint Stephen and located in the highest site of Santarém, was within the walls that confined the town, one of the oldest places. Existed in the XIII century, and was sacred at 1241, in February 16, and came to be known as the Church of the Holy Miracle, because it keeps the Consecrated Particle. Its medieval origin is documented by the presence of certain elements, which are still visible on transepto, not leaving any other evidence of this first architectural construction, whose disappearance was due to causes that continue even today, unclear.

It has been restored and transformed - rebuilt, in good truth - in the sixteenth century, with Renaissance accents, have lost traces of antiquity wich guaranteed it a new expression that again suffered an intervention around the first half of the century XVIII, which gave it Baroque characteristics, particularly with regard to their altars and decorations to the choir.

I In the body of the church, four screens of the seventeenth century, tell the history of the Holy Miracle.

The occurrence of the Holy Miracle conferred to the Saint Stephen Church a unique importance and notoriety. Started to be a "mandatory"  site of pilgrimage for kings and notable people which travel to Santarém, and witness the practice of a deep and intense cult to the Holy Particle by the people, which, have changed the name to "Church of the Miracle. "

The town and its surroundings was ennobled with many convents, from different religious orders. But this church, welcomed, in religious fervor, damaged bodies, hungry hearts and incurable wounds - in their search for bread, peace, understanding and love.

Since April 5, 1997, His Excellency, D. António Francisco Marques, Bishop of Santarém, considered by decree the Saint Stephen Church, as the Holy Miracle Sanctuary.

At the sanctuary, in D. Afonso VI chorus there is a sacred small museum, dedicated to the Holy Miracle where are shown parts, which are still on from today, subject of important pilgrimages and expressions of devotion.