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Sé de Lisboa

Alfama · Churches & Religious Sites

The Sé de Lisboa, known also as the Igreja de Santa Maria Maior and Lisbon Cathedral, has more than 800 years of history. It is the oldest parish church in Lisbon. Sé de Lisboa is dedicated to St. Mary Major. A fortress-like defense system was incorporated into the design of Sé de Lisboa. The interior of Sé de Lisboa is designed in the Latin cross format. The 1755 Lisbon earthquake damaged a portion of the church. After the earthquake, the church was rebuilt and reopened. A descriptive guide of Lisbon states the church has a Neo-Romanesque design. Other designs include use of arches and stained glass. The Rose Window depicts Christ the Savior surrounded by the twelve apostles. One of the best vantage points to view the church is the high choir. A tour covers the high choir, chancel, central nave, ambulatory, chapels, Bartolomeu Joanes Chapel, Patriarch’s dressing room, and Treasury Museum. A balcony provides a scenic view of the city and river. The relics of São Vicente, the patron saint of Lisbon, are kept in the cathedral reliquary coffer. The Patriarchal Monstrance is in the Treasury Museum, along with other valuable religious artifacts. The church is important for Saint Anthony, as he was baptized, studied and sang in the choir there. There is a cross carved in the staircase to the high choir. When young, it is said he had devilish distractions while studying at the cathedral school. However, he is said to have driven them away with the sign of the cross. He is said to have performed many miracles during his life. The Festas dos Santos Populares has been celebrated annually every June since 1958. During the winter, the cathedral is open from Mondays through Saturdays from 10:00- 18:00. It is closed on Sundays. The cathedral can be reached at (218) 866 752 or info@sedelisboa.pt. The website is sedelisboa.pt.

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