Monastery of São Vicente de Fora

Coordinates: 38°42′53″N 9°07′40″W / 38.71472°N 9.12778°W / 38.71472; -9.12778
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora
Lisboa Region
RiteLatin Rite
Location
LocationLargo de São Vicente, 1170 Lisboa, Portugal
MunicipalityLisbon
Architecture
StyleMannerist
Groundbreaking1147 (1147)
Completed1629 (1629)

The Church and Monastery of São Vicente de Fora, meaning "Monastery of St. Vincent Outside the Walls", is a 17th-century church and monastery in the city of

royal pantheon of the Braganza monarchs of Portugal
.

History and art

The sacristy, famous for its different types of marble.

The original Monastery of São Vicente de Fora was founded around 1147 by the first Portuguese King,

Augustinian Order.[1] Built in Romanesque style outside the city walls, it was one of the most important monastic foundations in mediaeval Portugal. It is dedicated to Saint Vincent of Saragossa, patron saint of Lisbon, whose relics were brought from the Algarve
to Lisbon in the 12th century.

The present buildings are the result of a reconstruction ordered by

succession crisis in 1580. The church of the monastery was built between 1582 and 1629, while other monastery buildings were finished only in the 18th century. The author of the design of the church is thought to be the Italian Jesuit Filippo Terzi and/or the Spaniard Juan de Herrera. The plans were followed and modified by Leonardo Turriano, Baltazar Álvares, Pedro Nunes Tinoco and João Nunes Tinoco. In 1755, an earthquake hit Lisbon, causing damage to the church which then needed reconstruction. [1]

The church of the Monastery has a majestic, austere façade that follows the later

.

Panel of azulejo tiles in Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora

Within the monastery are ceramic tiles formed into panels that depict several different scenes. The ceramic tiles that were created are called azulejo. The tiles were created and painted for the monastery during two separate periods established by Santos Simoes.[2] The first period was from 1700 until 1725 and was called the "great painting period," during King Joao V's reign. The second period was called "the great production period," which lasted from 1725 until 1755. The scenes range from life in the countryside, hunting, and even noble amusement. In total, there are over 150 different panels and scenes within the monastery. [2]

The beautiful main altarpiece is a Baroque work of the 18th century by one of the best Portuguese sculptors, Joaquim Machado de Castro. It has the shape of a baldachin and is decorated with a large number of statues. The church also boasts several fine altarpieces in the lateral chapels.

The Monastery buildings are reached through a magnificent baroque portal, located beside the church façade. Inside, the entrance is decorated with blue-white, 18th century

La Fontaine
, among other themes.

Pantheon with the tombs of the House of Braganza.

Braganza Pantheon

In 1834, after the

pantheon for the kings of the House of Braganza
. Their tombs were transferred from the main chapel to this room.

References

  1. ^ "Church of São Vicente de Fora". www.patrimoniocultural.gov.pt (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2018-02-19.

38°42′53″N 9°07′40″W / 38.71472°N 9.12778°W / 38.71472; -9.12778