Discover the final resting place of illustrious Portuguese over the centuries, the National Pantheon. Built in the 16th century by Infanta Dona Maria, daughter of D. Manuel I, the Church of Santa Engrácia was never used as a place of worship. It was this church that gave rise to the expression “the works of Santa Engrácia”, to designate something that never ends. In fact, the work lasted 350 years and was completed in the mid-twentieth century.
The Monastery of São Vicente de Fora, St. Vincent, was built “outside” the city walls, on the site where crusaders are said to have died during the conquest of Lisbon. Dom Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal (1139-1185), is said to have promised to build churches where the knights who came to fight in the name of Christ to extend the frontiers of Christianity fell on their way to Jerusalem.
A visit to the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora allows you to take a stroll on the terrace, from which you have a breathtaking view of the Alfama district, the Tagus River and the eastern part of the city, including the Vasco de Gama Bridge.
The visit to the Pantheon and São Vincente de Fora monastery was made on September 22, 2012.
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