Church of Loreto

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Chiado

Location

The Church of Loreto is located in the heart of Chiado, one of Lisbon's most emblematic and bustling neighborhoods. Situated next to Largo do Chiado, at the confluence with Rua da Misericórdia, its central position allows for easy integration into the itinerary of those exploring the historical and cultural area of the city.

It is a discreet yet significant landmark in the urban landscape of Chiado.

Origins and Identity

Affectionately known as the Church of the Italians, the Church of Loreto has a rich history dating back to the 16th century. Its foundation, in 1518, was due to the initiative of a prosperous community of Italian merchants who settled in Lisbon, eager for their own place of worship.

It is a testament to the deep Italian devotion to Our Lady of Loreto, a veneration that links this church to the town of Loreto in Italy, where the house of the Holy Family of Nazareth is believed to be. Since its origin, it has depended directly on the Holy See, underscoring its uniqueness within the Portuguese religious context.

Historical and Architectural Journey

The church observed today is the result of remarkable resilience in the face of great adversity. After a fire in 1651 and the extensive damage caused by the 1755 Earthquake, the Italian community undertook an impressive reconstruction.

Completed in 1785, this work reflected the architectural style of the era, combining Pombaline and Neoclassical elements. An inscription above the main portal, in Latin, expresses this victory over destruction: TERRAE QUOD TREMULAE AC VIS ABSTULIT IMPIA FLAMMAE ITALIA TAM PULCHRE RESTITUIT PIETAS ANNO DOMINI MDCCLXXXV, "What the earthquake and the impious force of flames destroyed, Italian piety magnificently restored. Year of our Lord 1785."

Art and Spirituality

Upon entering the Church of Loreto, visitors find a single-nave interior with twelve side chapels adorned with marbles imported from Italy. These chapels house canvases dedicated to the twelve apostles, some of which are by Cirillo Wolkmar Machado.

The ceiling, one of the highlights of its artistic heritage, features a magnificent central painting depicting the Coronation of Our Lady, a work by the Portuguese painter Pedro Alexandrino de Carvalho. The church also preserves a collection of paintings by Portuguese and Italian artists, and in the sacristy, one can admire an imposing brazilwood chest and polychrome tiles. The atmosphere invites introspection and appreciation of beauty, serving as an invitation to prayer and contemplation, even for those who do not profess the faith.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt