Museum of São Roque

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Museum

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Misericórdia

Location

The Museum of São Roque is located in Largo Trindade Coelho, in the Misericórdia area, right in the historic center of Lisbon. Its location is central, close to bustling areas, integrated into an old urban fabric rich in history, easily accessible for those exploring this part of the city on foot.

Origin and History

The Museum of São Roque originated at the beginning of the 20th century, having been inaugurated in 1905. It was established with the aim of showcasing the valuable artistic heritage of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, an institution that still oversees it today. It is housed in the former dependencies of the Casa Professa of the Society of Jesus, which was located next to the Church of São Roque.

Much of the artwork found here belonged to the Jesuits, having passed into the possession of the Santa Casa in 1768, after their expulsion. Over the years, the museum has been adapted and renovated to house and present its collections in the best possible way.

The Artistic Collection

The museum houses a rich and diverse collection of Portuguese sacred art. The collections include painting, sculpture, goldsmithery, liturgical textiles (paraments), and devotional objects such as reliquaries. The period represented spans approximately from the mid-16th century until 1768, largely reflecting the heritage accumulated during the Society of Jesus' presence on the site.

Highlights include pieces of great artistic quality, such as the painting of the "Adoration of the Magi" or the remarkable ensemble of the Treasury of the Chapel of Saint John the Baptist, composed of goldsmithery and paraments of Roman origin, considered to be of unparalleled quality. The collection of reliquaries is also one of the most significant in Europe. The museum thus offers a panorama of religious art and the history associated with this emblematic site.

Architecture and Atmosphere

The building that houses the Museum of São Roque is, in itself, part of the visit. It is the former Casa Professa of the Jesuits, a historic building adapted over time for its museological function. Exploring its spaces allows one to feel the atmosphere of a place with different historical layers, which once served other purposes.

The physical proximity to the Church of São Roque is constant, recalling the inextricable link between the two sites and the heritage they share, creating an atmosphere that invites discovery of the artistic and historical legacy of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa in this place.