Imagine a hushed stillness amidst Lisbon’s vibrant energy. That’s the atmosphere that greets you here at the Cemitério dos Olivais. Inaugurated in 1897, this municipal cemetery stands as a testament to Lisbon’s history. It offers a place of reflection for locals and visitors alike.
The Cemitério dos Olivais wasn’t always a final resting place. Before its establishment, this land housed the Convento de São Cornélio. Franciscan friars built the convent in 1674. Today, remnants of the convent’s portico occasionally emerge. They serve as silent reminders of the site’s layered past.
As you walk toward the chapel, notice the older tombs. These belong to notable figures. Among them rests the Viscondessa dos Olivais. She was a benefactor who funded an asylum. This asylum still exists as a daycare and kindergarten under the Fundação D. Pedro IV. Her legacy lives on. She continues helping the area’s most vulnerable children.
In 1959, as Olivais Sul grew, landscape architect Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles designed the cemetery’s landscaping. His vision ensured the Cemitério dos Olivais harmonized with its surroundings. He created a serene space. It offers solace and beauty.
Lisbon’s growing population necessitated expansions of the Cemitério dos Olivais. In December 2002, the city’s second crematorium was built here. By 2009, a third furnace was added. The municipality could then meet the increasing demand for cremation services.
Many prominent figures from Portuguese culture have been cremated here at the Cemitério dos Olivais. These include journalist Carlos Pinto Coelho. Also poet and actress Rosa Lobato de Faria found their final peace here. Actors António Feio and Pedro Pinheiro were cremated here too. Musician Zé Pedro was also cremated here. They represent just a fraction of the talent.
The Cemitério dos Olivais is the final resting place for actress Adelaide João. Actor Amadeu Caronho rests here too. The writer Ana Hatherly is also buried here. Footballer Ângelo Martins found his final resting place here. These are just some of the many famous people who have been buried or cremated here.
Considered the fifth municipal cemetery of Lisbon, the Cemitério dos Olivais resides in the Olivais parish. This is in the eastern part of Lisbon. You can find it on the grounds where the Convento de São Cornélio once stood.
The Cemitério dos Olivais occupies the area of the old fence of the Convent of São Cornélio. The Lisbon City Council bought the area of the cemetery in 1906.
So, as you wander through the Cemitério dos Olivais, remember its past. From a Franciscan convent to its role today, it has been a place of transition. It is a place of remembrance. It reflects Lisbon’s ever-evolving story. It stands as a peaceful sanctuary.