Discovering the National Pantheon

National Pantheon

The National Pantheon - Santa Engrácia Church's mission is to honor, promote and spread the life and work of distinguished Portuguese personalities.

The National Pantheon is a Portuguese "National Monument" since 1910 and it's a unique example of baroque style in Portugal.

The Church of Santa Engracia - National Pantheon seen fron Botto Machado Garden.

The National Pantheon stands in front of Tagus river, highlighting the historical area of the city, being an inescapable reference in Lisbon’s skyline.

Aerial view of the National Pantheon framed in the Tagus River.

Flee market

Feira da Ladra is a street market, which takes place every Tuesday and Saturday, in Campo de Santa Clara, right next to the National Pantheon.

The fair was born in the thirteenth century and passed through various places of Lisbon until it was settled in Campo de Santa Clara in the year 1882.

In this very popular space, new and used objects are sold, antiques and old things, vinyl records, clothes, tiles, old cameras, watches, furniture, and many other trinkets.

Main entrance

At the entrance, we come across the three portals, animated by a great decorative work.

On the façade of the monument one can see the sculptures of Santo Condestável, Santa Isabel and Santa Engrácia, by António Duarte.

The entrance to the church is done through a beautiful baroque portal with the coat of arms of Portugal held by two angels.

This decorative program is attributable to the French sculptor Claude Laprade (1687-1740).

Of the sculptural work of entrance of the monument, it is still worth mentioning the bas-relief representing Santa Engrácia.

Not only for its unusual proportions but, above all, for its innovative design and the originality of the undulating walls, the National Pantheon reveals a remarkable baroque plan, unique in Portugal.

It is a building with a Greek cross plan - defining a cross of four equal arms - with curved elevations marked at the angles by turrets.

The interior of the monument is animated by a magnificent work of stonework, enhanced by the coloring of ornamental stones (from Arrábida, Sintra and the Alentejo region of Estremoz, Borba and Vila Viçosa) and geometrical layout, creating the impression of a massive space.

In the interior angles of the church are represented Santo António, São João de Brito, São Teotónio and São João de Deus, by the sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida.

Sculpture of São Teotónio (detail).

The central body seen from the High-Choir.

The National Pantheon is surmounted by a majestic dome that rises to 80 ms of height.

Tumbling rooms

The tomb halls of the National Pantheon host the Presidents of the Republic Manuel de Arriaga, Teófilo Braga, Sidónio Pais and Óscar Carmona, writers Almeida Garrett, Aquilino Ribeiro, Guerra Junqueiro, João de Deus and Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, the artist Amália Rodrigues, the footballer Eusébio da Silva Ferreira and the Marshal Humberto Delgado.

High choir

Space organized in an amphitheater, originally reserved for religious choirs, gives us a perspective of the central nave and its semi-domes.

The organ

At the bottom of Central Nave stands the magnificent 18th century historical organ that occupies the high altar of the Church.

18 th Century Organ manufactured by Joaquim António Peres Fontanes.

Detail of the gilt carving of the organ.

Interpretation Center

Space which integrates elements recovered from the primitive church, pieces of jewelry used in the celebration of the opening Mass of the National Pantheon and a unique set of models in plaster of the campaign of conclusion of the construction of the monument (1964-1966).

A model of the National Pantheon made by João Laerte, in about 1965. The model was made of plaster and wood.

Artefacts used for celebrating the inaugural mass of the National Pantheon at December 7, 1966.

Terrace

The National Pantheon stands on one of the hills of eastern Lisbon, facing the river.

Thanks to this location, its terrace, 40 m high, is a unique viewpoint in the city, allowing to enjoy a privileged view of Lisbon and the Tagus.

Credits: Story

Direção-Geral do Património Cultural - Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (ADF) e Sistema de Informação para o Património Arquitectónico (SIPA).
Google StreetView.

Credits: All media

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National Pantheon