- Santo António Church was built to replace another church on the foundations of the house where the saint was born in 1189. Saint António was born in Lisbon and died in Padua in Italy. The public holiday in Lisbon is on June 13th, Saint António day, and the most celebrated night is undoubtedly the Saint António night. The Alfama district is more animated and is one of the most popular places to eat grilled sardines.
- Opposite this church there is a Cathedral, which was built during the 12th century, where there used to be a mosque. It underwent several renovations but still looks like a fortress. On the inside the central nave is covered by a semi-circular vault and there is also a triforium. On the left there is a Gothic chapel with a baroque crib.
The choir that was rebuilt in the 18th century is baroque but the walk behind is Gothic. In one of the chapels there are two very interesting Gothic tombs
and in another there is a Roman grid. The cloister is in Gothic style and in the gardens Phenician and Roman relics are excavated. One can still visit the chapter house and the cathedral's treasure.
After visiting the cathedral you can go up the street to the Castle. On the left there are the ruins of the Roman theatre of Lisbon and the Museum.
When arriving at the view-point of Santa Luzia the view on the river and the Alfama district is splendid. On the left there is the Santa Luzia church.
A little further there is the former palace of the 17th century Azurara counts, which now shelters the Decorative Art Museum and a school created in 1953. The museum contains a vast collection of pieces of furniture, tapestries, china, ceramics, and azulejos.
Besides the museum a street leads to the Castle. Situated on a hill it was first built by the Visigoths, altered by the Arabs, and conquered in 1147 by King Afonso Henriques I. The Arab palace was the royal residence until the 16th century. One can walk in the covered path and garden. There are several places that offer beautiful views of the city.
After the visit of the Castle you can go down towards the square opposite the Decorative Art Museum. There is a very pretty view over the roofs of Alfama and the river. Opposite you will see the S.Vicente Monastery, (patron saint of Lisbon) built between 1582 and 1627 by royal order on the site where another 12th century mannerist style one used to be. The vault is made out of marble and the altar is baroque style. The cloister is worth a visit for the 18th century azulejos that cover the walls and tell the La Fontaine fables. In the old refectory you will find the Pantheon dating back to the Dynasty of Braganças: it once belonged to D. João IV its founder, and Manuel II, the last Portuguese king, who died in England in 1932.
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Santa Engrácia |
Puppet paper theatre in Museum |
From this same view-point you can also admire the cupola of the Santa Engrácia church. Started in the 17th century this church was not finished until the 20th century. It is baroque style with a very richly decorated interior in marble. Inside you will find the National Pantheon inaugurated in 1966. There are cenotaphis in memory of Camões, Henry the Navigator, Pedro Álvares Cabral, Albuquerque, Álvares Pereira, presidents of the Portuguese Republic, and the tomb of Amália Rodrigues, the most popular Fado singer ever. Between these two buildings is held on Tuesdays and Saturdays the very popular Feira da Ladra market.
From this view-point if you look a little higher you will see a district called Graça where you will find a very original museum, the Puppet Museum, installed in a very old building.
Afterwards you can go down to the Alfama district. |
