Lisbon Churches

Lisbon Churches - An Insiders guide!

Lisbon Churches are the city's treasure houses and a chance to see Portuguese Sacred Art in situ. Also fine 16th/17th century Italian and Flemish artists and early Dutch Azulejos. Lisbon Churches is where much of Portugal's maritime gains ended up - vast quantities of Brazilian Gold and Silver, African jewels and imported Italian marble - worked by the best Artists and Artisans of the time. This quick guide tells you where to go and what to look for. Lisbon Monuments for details! Lisbon Monuments

Belem - Saint Jeronimos Monastery and Church

Magnificent Portuguese monument in Belem - beautiful example of late European Gothic and Portuguese Manueline architecture. Built in shimmering white limestone adding to Lisbon's reputation as the White City. Belem
white city Exquisite maritime motifs in cloisters and church pillars recalling Portugal's maritime history. Vast church with carved tombs including Queen Catarina Filipa of Castile resting on marble elephants. The tusks were made from first ivory brought back from India. Beautiful tombs of National Poet Camoes and famous Portuguese Explorer Vasco da Gama. Lisbon History

Lisbon Center - Lisbon Cathedral

Gothic and Romanesque Lisbon landmark survivor of 1755 Lisbon Earthquake and earlier quakes. Lisbon History Lisbon Cathedral has a rich history and unusual position. It vies with Lisbon Castle as the major city landmark. Medieval cities tended to grow up around their cathedrals - Lisbon Cathedral however stands on the side of a hill leaving secular Lisbon Castle the best position at the top. Inside are 3 naves, stain glass windows, paintings and baptismal font used for St Antony in 1195.

Lisbon West Center - Estrela Basilica

Vast Neo Classical Lisbon Monument with white Rococo dome opposite beautiful Estrela Gardens. Late 18th century architecture with pink and black marble interior. Free-entry. Arrive by Lisbon Tram No 25 or 28 and climb the dome for spectacular photographic views. Estrela Gardens

Chiado - Church of Sao Roque

Austere exterior hides lavish treasures within this richest of the Lisbon Churches - Brazilian gold and African jewels brought back from Portuguese expeditions. Chapel of Saint Joao Baptista built in Rome, dismantled and shipped to Lisbon encrusted with Amethsysts, Lapis Lazuli and Alabaster. Museum has a cope with 15kg of gold and a ruby encrusted mitre. In the square outside is at the contrasting and ironic statue of a Lisbon pauper displaying his lottery ticket - reference to nearby Lisbon poorhouse and charity funded by a national lottery .

Praca das Igrejas - Place of 3 Lisbon-Churches

Church of Nossa Senhora de Loreto - our choice of 3 Lisbon Churches in this fascinating Chiado area. Also known as The Italians' Church after Italian traders in Lisbon during 13th - 15th Century. Rebuilt in 1651 and after Lisbon Earthquake. Italian marble, Azulejos and oil paintings by Painter Antonio Machado Sapeiro. Look for early sculptures incorporated in Neo classical facade.

3 Downtown Lisbon Churches

Church of Conceicao Velha on Rua Alfadenga. Lisbon Churches were often built on sites of mosques or like this one on a former synagogue. Richly sculpted portal tympanum. Nearby is one of our Lisbon secrets - a small Japanese Tea house Castella do Paulo - Sushi/Miso Soup and Portuguese dishes. Japanese cakes , Portuguese cheesecake (Queijada)and Japanese version of Portuguese sweet bread (Pao de Lo) by Japanese-trained chef.

Church of Sao Nicolau on a street of the same name in Baixa - Lisbon Shopper's Church. A downtown retreat for shoppers and Baixa workers with impressive frescos. Square outside has statue to Lisbon Stonemasons who built Lisbon Churches and Monuments and Lisbon famous Lisbon limestone/basalt pavements.

Go East! St Vincent de Fora

Take Tram 28 East to outside (fora) the city walls and the white limestone walls of 16th century St Vincent's church and monastery. Peep in at vaulted underground water reserve. Monastery has fabulous 18th century Azulejos by Grand Master tile painter Manuel dos Santos depicting Portuguese History, Rural and Court Life. Plus remarkable 38 Azulejos panels depicting La Fontaine's Fables. Lisbon Museums Museums

Go East! Church of Santa Engracia

Also known as the National Pantheon - final resting place of Portugal's famous - most recently legendary Lisbon Fado singer Amalia Roderigues. Centuries work to build Remarkable white-domed and marble cenotaph with dizzying high galleries and roof-top terrace great for panoramic Lisbon views. Fado

Go East! Church and Convent of Madre Deus

Portuguese Art at its finest and in its proper setting with 16th and 18th Portuguese Sacred Art on canvas and ceilings. Plus Baroque wood work and Dutch Azulejos. In the delightful Madre Deus Monastery visit Lisbon's Azulejos Museum with historic and modern glazed tiles and a gorgeous restaurant. The Chapel is astonishing for its aesthetic concentration of Portuguese Art and beauty or its architecture and decoration.

The Strangest Church in Town

Sao Domingos church in the corner of Rossio in Largo Sao Domingos was built after the earthquake of 1755 on the site of a Dominican Monastery. The Church incorporated the original monastery portal dating back to the 13th century. The interior was once very opulently decorated but was destroyed by fire in 1959. It has never been restored and now the scars are plainly visible. It is positively apocalyptical. The church is a popular place for workers and shoppers to pray and has gained a certain reputation among tourists as a Lisbon curiosity. See for yourself if you are downtown - it is certainly very strange. Museums Lisbon Churches Top Lisbon Sights Magical Lisbon
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