Stolen Lord Standard

Category: Religious Architecture > Place of Worship

District: Lisboa > Odivelas > Odivelas > Lumiar

Location

The Padrão do Senhor Roubado is located in Odivelas, near the border with the parish of Lumiar, in Lisbon. It is situated in a small square adjacent to one of the roads connecting the capital to Odivelas, integrating into an urban area with modern buildings around it. Its position, at the entrance to the city of Odivelas for those coming from Lisbon, gives it natural visibility, inviting the discovery of its history.

Legend and Memory

This unique monument, erected in 1744, is a testament to a dramatic story that occurred in 1671, which shook the society of the time. Its construction is due to a sacrilegious robbery perpetrated in the Parish Church of Odivelas, where the young António Ferreira stole several cult objects, including sacred vases and religious images. Tradition has it that the stolen goods were hidden in a reed thicket, precisely in the place where the Padrão now stands.

The magnitude of the crime, in an era of deep religiosity, was so impactful that the news spread throughout the kingdom, mobilizing the authorities and the people. After an intense search, the objects were found. António Ferreira, captured by chance, confessed the offense and was subjected to an exemplary and brutal punishment for the time. The monument, initially marked by a wooden cross, was transformed into this stone standard by a religious, through donations from the faithful, as a place of expiation and an indelible landmark of that event.

Architecture and Azulejo Narrative

The Padrão do Senhor Roubado presents itself as an unusual architectural space, configured as a trapezoidal enclosure that emulates an open-air temple. Inside, a marble oratory with Tuscan columns houses a crucifix and symbolic elements of the Holy Trinity, such as the figure of Faith and a dove. A pulpit further gives it the characteristic of a place dedicated to worship and prayer.

One of the most striking aspects of the monument is the set of twelve monochromatic tile panels that line the back wall. These panels are true "comic strips" from the 18th century, sequentially narrating the entire story of the sacrilegious robbery and the fate of its author. Each panel, composed of dozens of tiles, includes explanatory captions that guide the visitor through the different episodes, allowing for an immersion in the historical narrative and the Baroque artistic style of the period. The subtle polychromy, with shades of yellow and white, adds a distinctive touch to its aesthetics.

A Symbol of Faith and Heritage

Over the centuries, the Padrão do Senhor Roubado has remained a place of popular devotion, where many go for moments of reflection and prayer. Recognized as an Imóvel de Interesse Público (Property of Public Interest), it is an important landmark of local history and culture, serving as a link between the past and the present. Its presence in the urban landscape of Odivelas invites contemplation of a moving story and admiration for the art of Portuguese tiles, perpetuating the memory of an event that deeply marked the community.

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