São Roque, Lisbon

São Roque's plain facade hides great splendor and treasures within.
Photo Sergio Calleja.

General interior view looking east. Photo jon|k.

Interor view towards the altar. Photo Fred Lopes.

Interior view looking west to the organ gallery and entrance.
Photo Fred Lopes.

Chapel of John the Baptist

The Chapel of St. John the Baptist. Photo Ricardo Mealha.

Mosaic

Mosaic altarpiece in the Chapel of St. John the Baptist.
Photo Ricardo Mealha.

Relics

Relics displayed in Sao Roque. Photo Gareth.

St. Roque Church (Igreja de São Roque) in Lisbon is a 16th-century Jesuit church famed for its elaborate Chapel of St. John the Baptist. The church includes a museum with an impressive collection of Baroque silver.

History

In the 16th century, the Jesuits Filippo Terzi, the architect of São Vicente, was also responsible for this Renaissance church. He was commissioned by Jesuits and completed the church in 1574.

What to See

The plain façade of St. Roque Church belies the splendor within. The nave, with a painted wood ceiling, is lined with eight side chapels full of Baroque art. The most notable of the chapels is the last one on the left: the 18th-century Capela de São João Baptista (Chapel of St. John the Baptist) by Luigi Vanvitelli.

Comissioned by King João V in 1741, the chapel was assembled in Rome of expensive materials including alabaster and lapis lazuli, then dismantled for shipment to Lisbon. It was reassembled on-site in 1747. Sometimes a guide will escort visitors around the church and switch on the appropriate lights to fully enjoy the chapel.

The church's sacristy contains many paintings depicting scenes from the lives of Jesuit saints. In addition to its wealth of Baroque art, the church contains some valuable sacred relics: include a thorn from the crown of thorns and a piece of wood from Jesus's crib.

Adjoining the church, the Museu de Arte Sacra (Museum of Sacred Art) displays a collection of clerical vestments and liturgical objects. There are 18th-century capes and drapes embroidered in gold and jewel-encrusted crosses and goblets. Two bronze-and-silver torch holders, weighing about 838 pounds, are some of the most elaborate in Europe.

The museum's paintings date mainly from the 16th century. Among them are a portrait of Catherine of Austria, a depiction of the wedding ceremony of Manuel I, and a 15th-century Virgin of the Plague. A polished conch shell served as a baptismal font in the 18th century.

Quick Facts

Site Information

Names:	São Roque; Igreja de São Roque; Museu de São Roque
Dedicated to:	St. Roque
Location:	Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
Category:	Churches
Faith:	Christianity
Denomination:	Catholic
Order:	Jesuit
Status:	active
Date:	1574
Architecture:	Baroque

Visitor Information

Coordinates:	38.713614° N, 9.14335° W (view on Google Maps)
Address:	Largo Trindade Coelho, Bairro Alto, Lisbon, Portugal
Phone:	21/323-53-80
Hours:	Church: Mon-Fri 8:30-5, Sat-Sun 9:30-5 Museum: Tue-Sun 10am-5pm
Cost:	Church: Free Museum: €1.50
Photography:	Permitted
Public transport:	Metro: Chiado. Bus: 28

Note: This information was accurate when published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

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Location Map

Below is a location map and aerial view of São Roque. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Lisbon Map.

Article Sources

Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:

Igreja de São Roque - Fodor's Portugal
Museu de São Roque/Igreja de São Roque - Frommer's Portugal

Article last updated: 04/08/2009.