The Lisbon Cathedral, also known as the Basilica or Cathedral of Santa Maria Maior, is considered to be the oldest church in Lisbon, having been built at the beginning of the second half of the 12th century, after the city was reconquered from the Moors by King Afonso Henriques.
It is also the seat of the Lisbon Patriarchate and the Sé Parish and has been classified as a National Monument since 1910.
The design of the Lisbon Cathedral includes three naves with a triforium, a projecting transept and a transept with three chapels, following Norman models.
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The history of the Cathedral
The Lisbon Cathedral is one of the city’s great ex-libris and is still one of the most important monuments in the whole country, not only for its priceless historical value, but also for its religious and even artistic character.
The construction of the Lisbon Cathedral began around 1147, when the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, reconquered these lands from the Moors.
It was built under a Muslim mosque where, according to archaeological excavations, there had previously been a Christian temple of the Visigothic Germans.
The first architect was Master Roberto, a Frenchman who also worked on the Cathedral of Coimbra and the Monastery of Santa Cruz.
It was also at this time that King Afonso Henriques sent back from the Algarve the relics of the martyr St. Vincent of Zaragoza, which are now deposited in the Cathedral.
“A mix of styles
Dedicated to Our Lady, the Lisbon Cathedral has undergone several changes over the centuries, particularly after the 1755 earthquake.
The Cathedral presents an incredible mix of architectural styles where you can find Romanesque, Baroque and Neoclassical details.
The original building is defined by its Romanesque style, but between the 13th and 14th centuries it underwent several alterations and a Gothic-style cloister was built during the reign of King Dinis.
When King Afonso IV ascended the throne , he had the deambulatory or charola built as his family pantheon.
This space in the Cathedral gave way to 10 chapels, some of them linked to the Virgin: Nossa Senhora da Penha de França, Santa Maria Maior, Nossa Senhora da Conceição, among others.
In the later 17th and 18th centuries, works were carried out that reveal its Baroque side, particularly in terms of decoration, details that can be admired on the altars and in the chancel.
In the first half of the 20th century, the Cathedral received one of its last significant restorations, renewing its more medieval appearance.
A “hidden” treasure in the middle of the city
It’s worth taking a close look at the exterior of the Lisbon Cathedral, which immediately transports you back to medieval times.
But it’s when you enter the Cathedral that you’ll find a hidden treasure in the middle of Lisbon.
You should go up to the high choir, where you’ll have a privileged view of the interior of the cathedral, as well as being able to admire the large and beautiful rose window.
Then you should visit the chapel of Bartolomeu Joanes, one of the most important burghers of medieval Lisbon and, of course, the excavations of the cloister, which have revealed all the occupations of this space, with several centuries of history.
The Cath edral of Lisbon also has a unique collection, the Treasury of the Patriarchal Cathedral, with several rooms where you can admire reliquaries and various valuable objects dedicated to the religious life that the Cathedral still maintains today.
Address: Largo da Sé