Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > São João
The Madre de Deus Church is serenely located in the parish of Beato, in the old area of Xabregas, in the eastern part of Lisbon. This remarkable temple is part of the Madre de Deus Convent complex, marking the landscape with its historical and artistic presence.
The origins of the Madre de Deus Church date back to 1509, the year Queen Leonor initiated its construction. However, the structure we see today was completed in 1550, by order of King João III. Over the following decades, between the reigns of King Pedro II, King João V, and King José, that is, from the late 17th to the mid-18th century, the church was enriched with sumptuous decoration, bearing witness to the artistic evolution of the period.
The temple is a prominent example of the Baroque style in Portugal, characterized by its exuberance and detail. The church's interior dazzles visitors with its profusion of gilded woodcarving, meticulously sculpted, which covers altars and walls, and with the azulejos that adorn the surfaces, telling stories and creating visual patterns of great impact. These elements are fundamental to understanding the grandeur and opulence of Portuguese Baroque art.
The Madre de Deus Convent houses the National Azulejo Museum, an institution dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of this element so characteristic of Portuguese culture. The museum features a vast and rich collection that allows visitors to explore the history of the azulejo, from its manufacturing techniques to its multiple artistic trends throughout the centuries, thus contextualizing the importance of the azulejos present in the church itself.
The convent complex also serves as the eternal resting place for figures of historical relevance. Among the personalities buried here are Isabel of Viseu, Leonor of Avis, and Joana de Mendonça, wife of Jaime I, Duke of Braganza. These tombs give the space an additional dimension of historical and heritage significance.
The importance of the Madre de Deus Church and Convent was formally recognized in 1910, when they were classified as a National Monument, attesting to their inestimable value to the cultural heritage of Lisbon and Portugal. The site's cultural relevance transcends its history, having even participated in the 17th European Art, Science and Culture Exhibition in 1983, and inspiring the name of the famous Portuguese musical group Madredeus, a testament to its perennial influence on contemporary culture.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convento_da_Madre_de_Deus
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.72461494483383,-9.113738654987595
Coordinates DMS: 38°43'28.6"N 09°06'49.5"W
Weather Lisboa
On-duty Pharmacy Lisboa
