The Legend of Martim Moniz

The name Martim Moniz is linked to the conquest of Lisbon to the Moors and in his memory there is a square in the city with his name.
The legend tells us that D. Afonso Henriques had surrounded the walls of the city, he was helped by the Crusades who passed through there on their way to the Holy Land.

In an attempt to break one of the doors of the city, Martim Moniz faced the moors head on, so that the Christians could get into the city.
This cost him severe injuries. His body was crossed between the two jambs and allowed the Christians to enter the city. Seriously wounded, Martim Moniz, entered the castle with his friends and managed to kill some of his enemies before he himself fell to the ground and died.

D. Afonso Henriques wanted to honour his braveness and the sacrifice of his life, so he declared that the entrance would have the name of Martim Moniz. The people say that D. Afonso Henriques ordered the hero's bust to be placed on a rock next to where he fell. It remains there still today in Martim Moniz's Square.