Largo da Sé, 5210-000 Miranda do Douro
From Wednesday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Closing days:
Mondays, Tuesdays (morning)
41.4935187, -6.2735571
273 417 288
The Castle of Miranda do Douro is classified as IIP - Property of Public Interest. The Church of Miranda do Douro, former Cathedral of Miranda do Douro or Co-Cathedral of Miranda do Douro, is a Catholic church located in the city of Miranda do Douro, in north-eastern Portugal.
The construction of the church began in 1552 and was completed in the last decade of the 16th century. The project was made by Gonçalo de Torralva and Miguel de Arruda. In 1566, Bishop António Pinheiro consecrated the main altar and in 1609, Diogo de Sousa informed the Pope that the construction was completed.
Inside, the altarpiece of the main altar stands out, belonging to the sculptural groups of Gregório Fernández.
The cathedral is the largest religious temple in the region of Trás-os-Montes, being classified as a "National Monument of Portugal" by Decree No. 136 of 23rd June 1910. The legend of Menino Jesus da Cartolinha (Baby Jesus of the Top Hat) dates to the early 1700s. It was at this time, more specifically in 1711, that the Castilian army invaded Miranda and sacked the city for several months. Vexed by the Castilians and without hope of remission, waiting for the reinforcement of troops that never arrived, it was then that a boy dressed as a nobleman supposedly appeared on the walls, calling the locals, and shouting at arms against the invaders. People came out of every house armed with sickles, scythes, rifles, and sticks to chase away the Spaniards.
During the battle, the boy would appear and disappear as if by magic, until the end of the fight, when the city was liberated but the boy had vanished into thin air. The locals looked for him everywhere, but in vain. The little General had disappeared. The people of Miranda considered that this victory against the Spaniards was an authentic miracle and that it was, without a doubt, a great favour granted by divine intervention.
They then had an image of the Child Jesus dressed as a gentleman sculpted, in the manner of the time, and placed it on an altar in the cathedral.
