São Vicente de Fora, Lisbon
Facade of São Vicente in Lisbon. Photo
Fred Lopes.
Interior of the church, looking towards the altar. Photo
Fred Lopes.
Dome over the crossing. Photo
Fred Lopes.
Cloister lined with painted tiles. Photo
Jaime Silva.
Painted tiles in the cloister. Photo
Jaime Silva.
Location map and aerial view of São Vicente de Fora. For a larger interactive view, see our Lisbon Map.
Originally part of a monastery, the Renaissance Igreja de São Vicente de Fora (Church of St. Vincent Outside the Walls) in Lisbon is the pantheon of the last Portuguese monarchs.
History
The Monastery of St. Vincent was founded in the 12th century, but the present church was begun in 1582 by Italian architect Filippo Terzi (1520-97) and not completed until 1704. The dome crashed to the ground during the 1755 earthquake.
The House of Bragança assumed power in 1640, the first rulers of an independent Portugal, and reigned until 1910. All the members of the dynasty save two - Maria I and Pedro IV - were laid to rest in monumental tombs in the former refectory. Among them is Catherine of Bragança, who married King Charles II of England in 1661.
The last queen of Portugal, Amélia, died in 1951. She is buried here along with her husband Carlos I and her son Prince Luís Felipe, both of whom were killed by an assassin at Praça do Comércio in 1908.
What to See
St. Vincent's Church has an Italian Renaissance facade with twin towers and a spacious interior, with a barrel vault and a Renaissance dome over the crossing. The dome was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake toppled it.
Inside the church, items of interest besides the royal tombs include a medieval cistern and an unusual ivory statue of Jesus carved in 18th-century Goa, India (a former Portuguese colony). The cloisters are lined with pretty painted blue tiles depicting the fall of Lisbon to the Moors. It is possible to climb the towers for impressive views.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | São Vicente de Fora; Mosteiro de São Vicente; Igreja de São Vicente; St. Vincent Outside the Walls |
| Dedicated to: | St. Vincent |
| Location: | Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal |
| Categories: | Churches; Mausoleums |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Status: | active |
| Date: | 1582-1704 |
| Architecture: | Renaissance |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 38.714849° N, 9.127632° W (view on Google Maps) |
| Address: | Largo de São Vicente, Lisbon, Portugal |
| Phone: | 21/882-44-00 |
| Hours: | Mon-Sat 9am-6pm Sun 9am-12:30pm and 3-5pm |
| Cost: | Free |
| Public transport: | Tram: 28. Bus: 12 or 28 |
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:
- Mosteiro de São Vicente - Fodors.com (accessed April 2009)
- Igreja da São Vicente de Fora - Frommers.com (accessed April 2009)
Article last updated: 04/09/2009.
