Porto Churches: Igreja Paroquial de São Pedro de Miragaia
The Igreja Paroquial de São Pedro de Miragaia in Porto is close to the River Douro and is dedicated to São Pedro (Saint Peter), the patron saint of fishermen.
The church is just down the hill from the larger Igreja do São João Novo.
History
The church of São Pedro de Miragaia that we can see today is the most recent of several that have existed in the same place since the Middle Ages.
The area was once used by local fishermen before becoming a site of ship-building during the Age of Discovery period of Portuguese history.
In 1453 Armenians fleeing the Fall of Constantinople brought the relics of São Pantaleão (Saint Pantaleon) to the church. They were later moved to Porto's cathedral.
Design
The current church dates mainly from 1740 when the previous church was partially demolished preserving only the chancel and the transept.
The tiles on the facade were added between 1863 and 1876.
The gilded altar is dedicated to Nossa Senhora do Carmo. The Flemish painter Van Orle painted the ceiling and the triptych in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit.
Access
Rua São Pedro de Miragaia, 4050-431 Porto
Admission: free for the church.
Nearby
The church lies downhill from the Igreja do São João Novo, near the Nova Alfândega and the excellent World of Discoveries Museum, both close to the Douro.
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