Lisbon Cathedral
The fortress-like facade. Photo
Osvaldo Gago.
The towers of the Sé in Lisbon. Photo
Carlos Eduardo Souza Lopes. 
Lisbon's cathedral by night. Photo
Vitor Antunes.
Interior of the cathedral, with rose window. Photo
Fred Lopes.
Detail of stained glass window. Photo
Jaime Silva.
Location map and aerial view of Lisbon Cathedral. For a larger interactive view, see our Lisbon Map.
Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa) is an austere Romanesque building with some interesting treasures inside.
History
According to legend, this site was home to a mosque that was converted to a cathedral after the city was conquered by Crusaders in 1147 (led by Portugal's first king, Alfonso Henríques). Although that was a common practice in Iberia, there is actually no evidence of any building on the site before King Alfonso. The cathedral was founded around 1150. Major earthquakes in 1344 and 1755 damaged the structure.
What to See
With heavy walls and two battlemented belltowers, Lisbon Cathedral has a stern appearance - more like a medieval fortress than a place of worship. This reflects the outlook of Lisbon's new rulers, who knew they would have to hold the city against attempts by the Moors to retake it. The facade is primarily 12th-century Romanesque, with a central rose window and a large porch.
Inside, highlights include the font where St. Anthony of Padua is said to have been baptized in 1195, the 14th-century Gothic chapel of Bartholomeu Joanes, the 14th-century sarcophagus of Lopo Fernandes Pacheco, and a crib by Machado de Castro (an 18th-century Portuguese sculptor).
The medieval cloister, built in the 14th century by King Dinis I (1279–1325), includes a Romanesque wrought-iron grille and tombs with inscriptions. The sacristy contains the cathedral's treasury, with relics, icons, and religious art from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | Lisbon Cathedral; Sé Patriarcal; Sé de Lisboa |
| Location: | Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal |
| Category: | Cathedrals |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Status: | active |
| Date: | 1150 |
| Architecture: | Romanesque |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 38.709851° N, 9.132766° W (view on Google Maps) |
| Address: | Largo da Sé, Lisbon, Portugal |
| Phone: | 21/886-67-52 |
| Hours: | Cathedral: daily 10-7 Cloister and sacristy: daily 10-1 and 2-6 |
| Cost: | Cathedral: free Cloister and sacristy: €2.50 |
| Public transport: | Tram: 28 (Graça) |
Travel Resources for Lisbon
- Lisbon Map - our detailed interactive map of Lisbon, plus hand-picked links to more
- Lisbon Guided Tours - book sightseeing tours and activities in Lisbon
- Lisbon Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, then book at the guaranteed lowest rate
- Lisbon Hostels - reserve budget lodgings with no booking fees
- Lisbon Car Rentals - get the lowest rate by comparing multiple car companies at a glance
- Lisbon Flight Search - compare multiple travel sites to find the lowest airfare to Lisbon
- Lisbon Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
- Lisbon Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Lisbon tourism
Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- Sé de Lisboa - Frommer's Portugal, 20th ed. (accessed April 2009)
- Sé - Fodor's Portugal (accessed April 2009)
- Lisbon (Portugal) » History » The early period » The Age of Discovery - Encyclopedia Britannica Online (accessed April 2009)
Article last updated: 04/09/2009.
