Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Mártires
Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Mártires
Monuments
Church of the Mártires (Martyrs)
In thanksgiving for victory in the conquest of Lisbon from the Moors the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, chose to use this site for a chapel dedicated to Saint Mary of the Martyrs.
This was the first Catholic church in the city of Lisbon and also represents the oldest parish. In the same document, and for similar reasons, the king ordered the building of a monastery dedicated to St. Vincent.
The original chapel of the Mártires was totally devastated by the 1755 earthquake. However, relics of the Holy Martyrs escaped destruction and they are now guarded in the Altar of the Souls on the inside of the current church.
Reconstructed in 1769 by architect Reinaldo Manuel dos Santos, the church of the Mártires harmoniously forms the heart of Chiado and is frequently referred to in the novels of Eça de Queirós as a social meeting point or as a refuge for his characters in 19th century Lisbon.
On the main door there is a low relief by Francisco Leal Garcia (1695-1781) depicting king Afonso Henriques kneeling in thanks for his victory. There is but a single nave inside displaying an interesting painting by Pedro Alexandrino (1730-1809) featuring a promise by the first king of Portugal to build the church of Our Lady of Martyrs and the monastery of St. Vincent de Fora.
In thanksgiving for victory in the conquest of Lisbon from the Moors the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, chose to use this site for a chapel dedicated to Saint Mary of the Martyrs.
This was the first Catholic church in the city of Lisbon and also represents the oldest parish. In the same document, and for similar reasons, the king ordered the building of a monastery dedicated to St. Vincent.
The original chapel of the Mártires was totally devastated by the 1755 earthquake. However, relics of the Holy Martyrs escaped destruction and they are now guarded in the Altar of the Souls on the inside of the current church.
Reconstructed in 1769 by architect Reinaldo Manuel dos Santos, the church of the Mártires harmoniously forms the heart of Chiado and is frequently referred to in the novels of Eça de Queirós as a social meeting point or as a refuge for his characters in 19th century Lisbon.
On the main door there is a low relief by Francisco Leal Garcia (1695-1781) depicting king Afonso Henriques kneeling in thanks for his victory. There is but a single nave inside displaying an interesting painting by Pedro Alexandrino (1730-1809) featuring a promise by the first king of Portugal to build the church of Our Lady of Martyrs and the monastery of St. Vincent de Fora.
Contacts
Address:
Rua Garrett
1200-203 Lisboa
1200-203 Lisboa
Telephone:
+351 213 462 465
Fax:
+351 213 259 562
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