LISBON CATHEDRAL

 

DESCRIPTION:

 

According to several historical studies, all indicates that the Lisboa Cathedral (Sé, in Portuguese) was built over an old Muslim mosque. This Cathedral started to be rebuilt in 1147, when the city of Lisboa was reconquested from the Moors, by the first king of Portugal, Dom Afonso Henriques.

During the Modern Times the building was object of architectural and artistic enrichments such as the Sacristy from the half 17th century, and in the 17th and 18th centuries alterations were made in the baroque style, especially affecting the decoration of the altars and chancel. Nevertheless, most of the works were done in the beginning of the 20th century, with the purpose to restore the primary medieval atmosphere of the Cathedral.

Some archaeological excavations in the Cloisters revealed Roman vestiges and other human presences in this area.

On the left side of the main entrance there is a Franciscan chapel with the sink where Saint Anthony was baptized in 1195.

The treasure of the Cathedral is situated in the top of the stairways, on the right side. It shelters a diversified collection of silver, ecclesiastical suits, statues, manuscripts, and relics associated to São Vicente. The most precious piece of the cathedral is the chest that contents the mortal remains of the Saint Anthony and the "Custódia da Sé" with 90 cm made of gold and 4120 precious stones, diamonds, rubis and esmeralds, built by the artist José Caetano de Carvalho, he took 5 and a half years to make it and was offered to the king D. José I, in 1760.

 

*TICKETS PRICE:

Visit the cloister and treasure ... 4,00 euros

 

CHURCH VISITS ARE FREE

 

*Prices are subject to alterations without prior notice.