Lisbon Cathedral (Sé) and Cloister, Lisbon
The fortress-like facade. Photo by Osvaldo Gago.
The towers of the Sé in Lisbon. Photo by Carlos Eduardo Souza Lopes.
Lisbon's cathedral by night. Photo by Vitor Antunes.
Interior of the cathedral, with rose window. Photo by Fred Lopes.
Detail of stained glass window. Photo by Jaime Silva.
Even official tourist brochures admit Lisbon Cathedral (Sé in Portugese) is not very rich in itself. But it has an attractive austerity to its architecture and its interior treasures alone make it worth a visit.
History
During the Moorish period, the site of the present cathedral hosted a mosque. When the city was captured early in the 12th century by Christian crusaders (led by Portugal's first king, Afonso Henríques), the structure was rebuilt and the Sé became the first church in Lisbon. The earthquakes of 1344 and 1755 damaged the structure.
What to See
Characterized by twin towers flanking its entrance, Lisbon Cathedral is a combination of Romanesque and Gothic styles. The facade is severe enough to resemble a medieval fortress.
Beyond the rough exterior are many treasures, including the font where St. Anthony of Padua is said to have been christened in 1195. A notable feature is the 14th-century Gothic chapel of Bartholomeu Joanes.
Other items of interest are a crib by Machado de Castro (the 18th-century Portuguese sculptor responsible for the equestrian statue on Praça do Comércio), the 14th-century sarcophagus of Lopo Fernandes Pacheco, and the original nave and aisles.
A visit to the sacristy and cloister requires a guide. The cloister, built in the 14th century by King Dinis, is of ogival construction, with garlands, a Romanesque wrought-iron grille, and tombs with inscription stones.
In the sacristy are marbles, relics, valuable images, and pieces of ecclesiastical treasure from the 15th and 16th centuries. In the morning, the stained-glass reflections on the floor evoke a Monet painting.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Lisbon Cathedral; Sé |
| Type of site: | Cathedral |
| Faith: | Roman Catholic |
| Date: | 12th century |
| Architecture: | Romanesque |
| Address: | Largo da Sé, Lisbon, Portugal |
| Phone: | 21/886-67-52 |
| Tram: | 28 (Graça) |
| Bus: | 37 |
| Hours: | Tues-Sat 9am-7pm; Sun-Mon 9am-5pm |
| Cost: | Cathedral free; cloister 1.50€ |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of Lisbon Cathedral. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Lisbon Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Sources
