Church of the Child God

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Santiago

Location

Situated in the heart of the historic Alfama district in Lisbon, the Church of Menino Deus stands in a position that overlooks the square of the same name. Its location offers a distinctive urban setting, marked by the typical narrow streets and timeless atmosphere of this part of the city, standing out in the landscape of the Santiago neighborhood.

Royal Foundation and Resilience

The history of the Church of Menino Deus dates back to the 18th century, with its construction commissioned by D. João V in 1711, as an act of thanksgiving for the birth of an heir. This temple, which stands out as one of the last examples of early Baroque architecture, was inaugurated in 1736. Its structure demonstrated remarkable resilience to the devastating earthquake of 1755, suffering little damage, which distinguishes it in the city's history.

Distinctive Architectural Features

The architectural design of the Church of Menino Deus, initially attributed to João Antunes and later completed by João Frederico Ludovice, presents striking features of the Baroque conventual style. The building's floor plan is ingeniously conceived, combining an irregular octagon with a rectangular space for the chancel, and the ensemble is covered by a roof with a pyramidal structure. The main facade, built entirely in ashlar, imposes itself with its grandeur, despite the fact that the two planned bell towers were never erected. The main portal, flanked by elegant Corinthian order columns, invites exploration of the interior.

The Artistic Splendor of the Interior

Upon entering the Church of Menino Deus, the visitor is enveloped in an atmosphere of singular artistic richness. The interior shines with the alternation of polychrome marbles that adorn the walls, a distinctive feature of João V's Baroque opulence. The eight side chapels and the chancel display altarpieces of exuberant gilded carving, complemented by a vast collection of paintings. Among these, special attention is deserved by the two panels adorning the chancel: "Saint Francis Stripped of His Secular Garments," by Vieira Lusitano, and "The Death of Saint Francis," painted by André Gonçalves. The nave ceiling, with an impressive trompe l'oeil painting, creates an illusion of depth and magnificence, depicting the Glorification of Saint Francis. Also noteworthy are the marble sculptures, such as those of Saint Dominic and Saint Francis, attributed to João António Bellini de Pádua, which further enrich this space of contemplation.

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