Church of Santa Engrácia or National Pantheon

Category: Religious Architecture > Pantheon

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > São Vicente

Location

The Church of Santa Engrácia is located in Lisbon, in the parish of São Vicente. It was completed in 1966, after a long construction history, and is one of the most visited monuments in the city.

National Pantheon Function

The National Pantheon honors notable figures in Portuguese history. The mortal remains or a tombstone alluding to their life and work are deposited on the site in recognition of their services to the nation, whether in politics, culture, arts or defense of the values of freedom and human dignity.

History of the Church

The construction of the Church of Santa Engrácia began in 1682, but was only completed in 1966, which gave rise to the popular expression "obras de Santa Engrácia" (Santa Engrácia works), which refers to something that never ends. The church was initially commissioned by Infanta D. Maria in 1568 to house the relics of Santa Engrácia.

Architecture

The building is an important example of Baroque architecture in Portugal, standing out for its imposing dome and interior covered with colored marble. This monumental style is rare in the country and adds a special touch to the Pantheon.

Illustrious Figures

The Pantheon houses the tombs of great personalities such as Amália Rodrigues, João de Deus, Guerra Junqueiro, Almeida Garrett, among others. In addition, there are cenotaphs (symbolic homages) to figures such as Luís de Camões and Pedro Álvares Cabral.

Curiosities

- The legend of Simão Pires, unjustly accused of theft in 1630, is associated with the curse that the works of the church would never end, something that was resolved centuries later.

- The building also served as a military warehouse and shoe factory in the 19th century, before officially becoming the National Pantheon.

Visitation

In 2022, the monument registered more than 146,000 visitors, becoming one of the most popular tourist attractions in Lisbon. It is an ideal place for those who want to learn about the history and culture of Portugal, as well as enjoy incredible views of the city.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panteão_Nacional

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