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+1
The exterior looks very plain, but once you go inside, it's definitely a wow feeling...one of the most ornate churches I've ever seen! There's no entry fee for the church, only if you visit the adjoining museum
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Date of experience: April 2021
1 Helpful vote
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+1
From the outside, the church does not make a great impression, while the interior dazzles with its baroque richness, intricate decorations. A single-nave church with many side altars. Each altar is different. Everyone worth attention. Amazing wall and ceiling decorations, beautiful reliquaries, chapels. Especially St. John the Baptist - the last one on the left in front of the presbytery. This chapel and altar was built in Rome in the 17th century, and at the time of its creation was the most expensive chapel in the world. The ceiling of the church has been covered with the Trompe-l'œil technique to create a three-dimensional illusion. An interesting fact is that this church is one of the buildings that survived the tragic earthquake of 1755 in Lisbon. Many people walk past the church and never entering inside and never discovering one of Lisbon's greatest jewels. When visiting Lisbon, it is worth going there, going in and seeing, the impressions will be unforgettable for sure. Admission to the church is free. Next to the church is the Museu de Sao Roque.…
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Date of experience: July 2020
3 Helpful votes1 Save
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+1
In the XVI century, the place where the Church is located was located outside the city walls at a sufficient distance from the city, which was where Alfama is now. This was important because there was a cemetery where the victims of the plague were buried. Where there is a cemetery, there is a chapel! The chapel was dedicated to Saint Roque of Montpellier, France, the patron Saint of the plague-sick (in the middle ages, the saints ' official duties were defined no worse than now). Growing in power in the Wake of the counter-Reformation, the Jesuit order took control of the chapel and built a Church here. It is the personification of Jesuit morality. Underlined (if not demonstrative) modest outwardly, it impresses with luxury inside. This contrast is inherent in the Baroque era, which adored theatricality, which replaced the gradually fading religiosity. The combination of marble, gilded carvings and tiled panels create an amazing feeling. The effect is enhanced by the play of light and shadow, characteristic of mannerism. The most luxurious of the chapels dedicated to John the Baptist arrived in disassembled form from Rome in 1747. Its authors were the famous Roman architects Nicola Salvi and Luigi Vanvitelli. Putting it together was a non-trivial task, given that the apparent murals are actually mosaics. Such visual tricks (trompe l'oeil), there is still some in the Church. The real Jesuit philosophy is set in stone. Deceptive facade, false ceiling. However, it is a great happiness that we have the happiness to see this at all. The fact is that this Church, unlike most of the neighboring ones, survived the earthquake of 1755. Probably, the reason is also in the Jesuits who always bet on education. They picked up honest and intelligent builders who were stronger than even the "Great" earthquake.…
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Date of experience: January 2020
2 Helpful votes
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A cathedral from the 1500s, who would imagine? Beautifully rendered with unusual side-stalls and every centimeter is hand painted or carved.
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Date of experience: August 2020
1 Helpful vote
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Was there today. Can confirm it is open and is free. Inside lots of gold! Pop in. Pop out. Snap snap.
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Date of experience: June 2020
3 Helpful votes
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