Coming into Monchique you can see a small statue of Saint Anthony clad in a blue mantle with gold embroidery. The mantle was an offering from a young girl, grateful to the saint because he had arranged a marriage for her. In reality though, the marriage was not as happy as she had hoped.

The husband treated her badly despite the pregnancy of the woman. A daughter was born who grew up between quarrels and fights. Eight years passed this way and the little girl decided to appeal to the goodness of Saint Anthony to end this misery.

She knelt in front of the statue of Saint Anthony and promised him that every day she would put fresh flowers in front of his image. She had prayed for quite some time when somebody tapped her on the shoulder.

A strange and attractive man asked her why she was there and asked for food and shelter for the night. The girl took him home and while the mother received the visitor the father complained to the daughter.

The visitor started talking to the father, gently telling him that it was foolish to refuse the happiness that living in harmony with his woman and his daughter could bring to him. Upon hearing the words of the visitor, the man got up to help his wife to prepare the meal, something he had never done before. He felt that a new life had started that very moment. When they came back to the room, the strange man had disappeared and a small statue of Saint Anthony stood on the table, similar to the one in the niche at the entrance of the village. Since that day the house was filled with happiness and the saint always had fresh flowers.