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Church of Santa Engrácia

Alfama

Churches & Religious Sites

The Church of Santa Engrácia is in the Alfama district of Lisbon, on Campo de Santa Clara, 1100-398, and is formally known as Panteão Nacional, after it’s function as the national pantheon was given to it in 1916. It is one of the more prominent and large Baroque structures in Lisbon and is designed in the shape of an Octagon with a dome. The authorization of the parish by Pope Pius V in 1568 was in response to a request by Maria, the Princess and daughter of King Manuel I of Portugal,. Princess Maria wanted the new parish to be located in the countryside of Santa Clara, where she lived. Construction on the church began c. 1570 and she died in 1577, before the work was completed. The chancel of the church was desecrated in 1630 and the consecrated hosts were removed; this incident is known as the Desacato. In 1632 the first stone was laid on a new chancel, but it collapsed in 1681 during a storm. The first stone of the design was laid in 1682. The construction was left incomplete with the death of Antunes in 1712. The church survived the earthquake of 1755. Because of the long and inconclusive construction period, the expression "Obras de Santa Engrácia" was coined. The interior of the church uses marble. The pantheon houses the remains of numerous notable Portuguese figures, including Amalia Rodrigues, and has a terrace offering scenic views. The church can be reached on foot from the Monastery of São Vicente. The Pantheon is closed on Mondays. A flea market is held near the pantheon on Saturday and Tuesday mornings, and Botto Machado Garden offers drinks. The “Voz do Operário” stop on tram line 28 offers access to the pantheon.

Venues.