Martim Moniz

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Martim Moniz (died 1147), was a Portuguese a knight of noble birth and famous figure in the Siege of Lisbon in 1147.

According to the legend, Martim Moniz was a knight participating in the Christian invasion force, lead by king Afonso I of Portugal, in the reconquest of the city of Lisbon, during the Reconquista. At one point in the siege of São Jorge Castle, he saw the Moors closing the castle doors. He led an attack on the doors, and sacrificed himself by lodging himself in the doorway, preventing the defenders from fully closing the door.

This heroic act allowed time for his fellow soldiers to arrive and secure the door, leading to the eventual capture of the castle. Martim Moniz was killed in the incident. In his honor, the entrance was dubbed Porta de Martim Moniz (Gate of Martim Moniz).

There are currently several monuments and parks named after Martim Moniz in Lisbon. One of Lisbon's Lisbon's metro stations is named after him.

One of his sons, Pedro Martins, Lord of the Tower of Vasconcelos, gave origin to the proeminent family of the Vasconcelos.