Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Campo Grande
Situated in the Campo Grande area of Lisbon, this church is in a location that historically marked the transition between the urban center and the city's old suburbs. Today, Campo Grande is a vast green area, serving as an important leisure space and meeting point. The church is harmoniously integrated into this landscape, reflecting the evolution of an area that went from being farms and vegetable gardens to becoming a vibrant urban and university hub.
The history of the Parish Church of the Holy Magi Kings dates back to the 16th century, when a small hermitage dedicated to the Three Holy Kings stood on the site. With the area's population growth, this hermitage evolved, gaining the status of an independent parish in the 18th century. However, the great earthquake of 1755 devastated the original building, leaving it almost in ruins. The reconstruction, which began shortly after in 1775, was a remarkable collective effort, relying on the commitment of the parishioners and the support of Queen Maria I, who authorized a fair to be held to raise funds. This new building, although with a relatively unadorned architecture due to the post-earthquake crisis, reopened in 1778, marking the community's resilience.
The church's façade, of neoclassical design, is distinguished by its stone portal, surmounted by an oculus and a triangular pediment. The single tower rises on its western side. Inside, the nave leads to the chancel, whose triumphal arch is a striking feature.
The ceiling of the chancel features paintings that were restored in the 19th century, revealing the artistic richness of the space. The main altarpiece, in gilded woodcarving, is of a neoclassical style, adorned with Corinthian columns and topped by a radiance. Concealing the tabernacle is a painting by Pedro Alexandrino depicting the Adoration of the Magi, complemented by two other canvases by the same artist on the side walls, depicting the Nativity and the Circumcision of Jesus. In the sacristy, visitors can admire two panels of azulejo tiles dated 1798.
Over the centuries, the church has undergone several interventions that have adapted its space and functionalities. In the late 19th century, conservation work was carried out that altered its frontage. In the early 20th century, the original walled churchyard was removed, and the old wayside cross from 1646, previously located in the churchyard, was relocated to the church's inner courtyard, later returning to the churchyard with more recent works. After the Second Vatican Council, the interior underwent a profound transformation, with the removal of side altars and the simplification of the wall coverings. However, the most recent restoration and maintenance works, carried out in 2018, sought to restore a more welcoming atmosphere to the space, closer to its original aesthetic, through a new lighting system and the recovery of the polychromy on the walls.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.7543914,-9.1505651
Coordinates DMS: 38°45'15.8"N 09°09'2.0"W
Weather Lisboa
On-duty Pharmacy Lisboa
