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Igreja da Memória

Belém

Churches & Religious Sites

The Church of the Memory, or Igreja da Memória, occupies a site on the northern outskirts of Belém, in the part of Lisbon known as Ajuda. The church’s full title is the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Livramento e de São José. It has the status of a protected national monument (Monumento Nacional) since 1923. It is opened to the public between 2 and 6 in the afternoon from Monday to Saturday, but not on Sundants. The church was built by order of King José I to show gratitude for his survival from an assassination attempt in 1758. On his way back from a secret meeting, the king’s carriage was attacked, and a bullet meant for the king hit his arm instead. The site of the church is the site of the attack. Sebastião de Melo, who later became the Marquis of Pombal, conducted the inquiry. The Távora family, who were enemies of the Marquis, were accused. In May 1760 work began on this church. Work on the church was continued by others. A halt was placed on further work in 1762 for financial reasons. Construction on the church was restarted in 1779. The Portuguese architect, Mateus Vicente de Oliveira, was in charge from 1779 to 1785 and was responsible for completing the dome and upper floor of the church. The campanile was also left unfinished at the time of Oliveira's death. The church was completed in 1788 and the two bells were blessed that year by the Bishop of the Algarve. This church has a Baroque exterior and an interior decorated in the austere Pombaline style. The plan of the church has a single nave. The crossing is circular. The main facade of the church is divided into two by an entablature and has a triangular pediment. The alter is a plain block. The church is also the mausoleum of the Marquis of Pombal who was an important figure in the reconstruction of Lisbon following the 1755 earthquake. Services are held here. It is owned by the Portuguese State.

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