Does the facade of Igreja de Santa Catarina not strike you as unique. This is Igreja de Santa Catarina. It is also called Igreja do Convento dos Paulistas. Some know it as Igreja Paroquial de Santa Catarina. Still others call it Igreja de Santa Catarina do Monte Sinai. This church stands as a testament to Lisbon’s resilience and artistic spirit.
Igreja de Santa Catarina was built in the 17th century. You can find it in the Misericórdia parish. More precisely, on Calçada do Combro. Joaquim de Oliveira and Valentim José Correia designed it. The Igreja de Santa Catarina showcases a dominant Baroque style.
Now think back to November 1, 1755. A massive earthquake and fire ravaged Lisbon. Much of the city was destroyed. Igreja de Santa Catarina was significantly damaged. It was rebuilt and completed in 1763. In 1835, the Igreja do Convento dos Paulistas became a parish church. It was dedicated to Santa Catarina.
Take a closer look at the Igreja de Santa Catarina. Its longitudinal plan is shaped like a Latin cross. It has a single nave with side chapels. Note the salient transept and deep chancel. Two rectangular blocks form the structure. The main facade faces south. It features three sections separated by double pilasters. The central body rises two stories. It is topped by a pediment. Twin bell towers flank the sides. Three arches form a ground-floor gallery. Simple pilasters separate the arches.
Inside the Igreja de Santa Catarina, above the first two chapels on the Epistle side, is an 18th-century pipe organ with golden carvings. João Grossi and Toscanelli created stucco ornaments around two central medallions that adorn the nave’s vaulted ceiling. These works of art show the Holy Trinity.
The Igreja de Santa Catarina also features eight lateral altarpieces in the nave. On the Gospel side are homages to Our Lady of Conception. Saint Anne teaches the Virgin to read here. Also depicted are Saint Michael the Archangel and Saint Peter. On the Epistle side you can see Pietà. There are also images of Saint Joseph. Further representations depict Saint Joachim and Saint Paul. In the transept, chapels honor Our Lady of Fátima and the Blessed Sacrament.
Look at the chancel of Igreja de Santa Catarina. Its rectangular space is covered by a groin vault. Santos Pacheco de Lima carved the gilded altarpiece in 1728. Notice the Solomonic columns covered in stylized vegetation. Natural-sized angel figures support large corbels. Images of Saint Catherine, Saint Paul the Hermit, and Saint Bulhão adorn the tabernacle. Vieira Lusitano created two of the six paintings on canvas. They show Christ in the Desert. Another shows the Multiplication of Loaves. António Pimenta Rolim painted an allegory of the Holy Trinity on the stucco ceiling in the first quarter of the 18th century.
The high choir shows the life of Saint Paul. Observe Saint Paul saying goodbye to his sister. An angel leads Saint Paul into the desert. Saint Paul weaves his hermit’s clothing. Saint Paul meditates by the cross. A centaur tells Saint Anthony about Saint Paul. A raven feeds Saint Paul. There is also a meeting of Saint Anthony and Saint Paul. Saint Anthony reveals Saint Paul’s existence to his companions. Saint Anthony watches Saint Paul’s soul ascend. Saint Anthony finds Saint Paul dead. Saint Anthony covers Saint Paul’s body. He uses the cloak of Saint Athanasius.
Igreja de Santa Catarina has been a National Monument since 1918. It is a testament to Lisbon’s architectural and religious heritage. Take a moment to appreciate the Igreja de Santa Catarina’s beauty. Remember its history. Consider the artistry. This place embodies Lisbon’s enduring spirit.