Church of Saint John the Baptist of Lumiar

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Lumiar

Location

The Church of São João Baptista do Lumiar stands in the old parish of Lumiar, in Lisbon. It is located in an area with a rich past, which once constituted the core of the Paço do Lumiar. This historical complex reflects the evolution of a space that marked the entrance to the Portuguese capital, still maintaining today an atmosphere that evokes its historical and urban dimension.

A History with Deep Roots

The history of the Church of São João Baptista dates back to the 13th century, with its foundation around 1276, by initiative of D. Mateus, then bishop of Lisbon. Originally, the church was more modest, with only one nave, and was dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and the Apostle Saint Matthew. Over the centuries, the building underwent significant interventions, especially from the 16th century onwards, which gave it its current structure. Its resilience to the 1755 earthquake, which devastated a large part of Lisbon, is notable, with the church suffering minimal damage. However, in 1932, a large-scale fire severely damaged the interior, requiring extensive reconstruction work that lasted until 1934.

Architecture in Detail

The Church of São João Baptista do Lumiar presents a fascinating combination of architectural styles, featuring Baroque, Manueline, and Mannerist elements. Its façade, dated 1603, is an example of the Mannerist style, complemented by a bell tower that houses four bells and is divided into three parts, corresponding to the interior naves. In the churchyard, the open space in front of the church, stands an imposing stone wayside cross, engraved with the date 1619, a testament to its antiquity. A detail to discover on the exterior is a vertical sundial, visible on one of the walls, which marks the passage of time in a traditional way. Inside, the church reveals its spaciousness with three naves, each with its altar. The main altar, in gilded carving, is adorned with images of revered saints, with Saint John the Baptist at the center. The baptistery, at the entrance, also deserves attention for its tile panels illustrating the life of Saint John.

The Legacy of Saint Brigid

One of the church's most unique and captivating aspects is the chapel dedicated to Saint Brigid, located next to the left nave. This chapel houses a reliquary containing skull bones of the saint, brought to Lisbon in 1283 by order of D. Dinis. Legend has it that three Irish knights transported the relics to this location, and their tombs can be found on the exterior wall of the chapel itself. Inside, besides the reliquary, the chapel displays a painting depicting moments from Saint Brigid's life, and two 18th-century wooden images, representing Saint Benedict of Nursia and Saint Scholastica. A tile panel, a copy of an original from 1740, also evokes a striking scene from the saint's history. Saint Brigid is associated with the protection of fields, livestock, and is the patron saint of the poor, the sick, and animals, imbuing this chapel with deep symbolism and a singular aura of devotion.

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