Consider the story of a king. He made a vow to build a church if Lisbon was won back from the Moors. We are standing before the Igreja de São Vicente de Fora. This is no ordinary church. It is a monument to history, art and royal legacy.
The Igreja de São Vicente de Fora is one of Lisbon’s most important monasteries. Its name means Monastery of St. Vincent Outside the Walls. This hints at its original location outside the city’s boundaries.
King Afonso Henriques founded the original monastery around 1147. He dedicated it to Saint Vincent of Saragossa the patron saint of Lisbon. The relics of St. Vincent were brought to Lisbon from the Algarve in the 12th century. The first monastery was built in Romanesque style.
The building you see today is a reconstruction. King Philip II of Spain ordered it after he became King Philip I of Portugal in 1580. Construction began in 1582 and finished in 1629. The church’s design is attributed to Filippo Terzi or Juan de Herrera. Leonardo Turriano and others modified the plans.
The Igreja de São Vicente de Fora stands as a prime example of Mannerist architecture. Its majestic facade features statues of saints in niches. Two towers flank the facade. This model became widespread in Portugal. Three arches at the base lead to the entrance hall. The church follows a Latin cross plan with a single-aisled nave and lateral chapels. Barrel vaulting covers the church. A huge dome sits over the crossing. The interior design echoes the Church of the Gesù in Rome.
Inside the Igreja de São Vicente de Fora admire the azulejo tile panels. These depict scenes from life in the countryside, hunting and noble amusement. Over 150 different panels adorn the monastery walls. The tiles were created during two periods. The first was the great painting period from 1700 to 1725. The second was the great production period from 1725 to 1755.
Do not miss the main altarpiece. Joaquim Machado de Castro one of Portugal’s best sculptors created this Baroque masterpiece. It is shaped like a baldachin and adorned with numerous statues. The lateral chapels also feature fine altarpieces.
Enter the monastery through a baroque portal beside the church facade. Inside blue and white tiles depict the monastery’s history. Scenes include the Siege of Lisbon in 1147. The ceiling features an illusionistic painting from 1710 by Vincenzo Baccarelli. The sacristy is richly decorated with polychromed marble and painting. The cloisters display 18th-century tiles. These recount fables of La Fontaine among other themes.
After the Dissolution of the monasteries in 1834 the monastery became a palace for the archbishops of Lisbon. Later King Ferdinand II transformed the monks’ refectory into a pantheon for the Braganza monarchs. Their tombs were moved here from the main chapel.
The Igreja de São Vicente de Fora is more than just a church. It is a repository of Portuguese history. It is a testament to artistic achievement. It is the final resting place of kings. Take a moment to appreciate the layers of history within these walls. Let the stories of kings artists and saints resonate with you.