Church of Saint Mary of Bethlehem

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Belém

Location

Situated in the Restelo area, in the locality of Belém, Lisbon, the Church of Santa Maria de Belém is located in a riverside area of great historical significance. Its location allows it to enjoy the Tagus breeze and an atmosphere that evokes the Age of Discoveries, where once caravels departed for new worlds. The wide square that stretches in front confers an air of solemnity and grandeur upon this temple.

A Royal Legacy

At the end of the 15th century, by order of King D. Manuel I, the construction of this magnificent temple began on the site of an old hermitage. The purpose was clear: to give thanks for the success of Portuguese maritime voyages and to offer a place of prayer and spiritual assistance to the navigators who departed from and arrived at the beaches of Restelo. This was also the chosen space to host the monks of the Order of Saint Jerome, dedicated to a life of contemplation and service to the community, until the mid-19th century.

Manueline Art in Stone

The Church of Santa Maria de Belém is a remarkable example of Manueline architecture, a genuinely Portuguese style that flourished in the transition from Gothic to Renaissance. Masters such as Diogo Boitaca, João de Castilho, Nicolau de Chanterenne and Diogo de Torralva left their mark on the conception and execution of this space. The façade boasts portals with intricate decorative details, while the interior reveals the complexity of its ribbed vaults and the vast nave with its imposing Latin cross plan. Also noteworthy are the Mannerist altarpiece of the chancel and the exquisite Baroque silver tabernacle, as well as the Renaissance choir stalls in the high choir.

Pantheon of Illustrious Figures

This temple serves as the final resting place for some of the most important figures in Portuguese history and culture. Right at the entrance, one can observe the tombs of the navigator Vasco da Gama, whose name is indelibly linked to the maritime epic, and the epic poet Luís Vaz de Camões, author of "Os Lusíadas". The church also houses the tombs of Kings D. Manuel I and his wife D. Maria, of D. João III and D. Catarina, of the Cardinal-King D. Henrique and of D. Sebastião, testifying to its deep connection with the Portuguese monarchy.

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