Royal Destination: National Pantheon in Lisbon, Portugal
One of the most amazing monuments in Lisbon, Portugal is the National Pantheon or the Church of Santa Engrácia.
Some Royal History
The original church was sponsored by Infanta Maria of Portugal, Duchess of Viseu. She was the daughter of King Manuel I of Portugal.
In 1681 the construction of the current church began after previous structures collapsed.
The design was made by João Antunes, the royal architect and one of the most important baroque architects of Portugal.
In 1916, during the First Portuguese Republic, the Church of Santa Engrácia was converted into a National Pantheon. It was compleded in 1966. There are a few important monuments for famous Portuguese people:
buried:
- Amália Rodrigues (fado singer);
- Eusébio (football player)
cenotaphs:
- Pedro Álvares Cabral;
- Vasco da Gama;
- Henry the Navigator.
The design
The church has a centralised floorplan with a Greek Cross shape. The façade was ornated with Baroque designs. There also is a high central dome which was finished in the 20th. century.
A visit
My husband and I visited the National Pantheon in Lisbon, Portugal in 2016. It is one of the largest and most impressing monuments of the city. So it is really worth to pay a visit. The rooftop of National Pantheon has an amazing view over Lisbon. It also is nice that Portugal treasures its heritage.
 |
| National Pantheon - Lisbon - Portugal |
Some Royal History
The original church was sponsored by Infanta Maria of Portugal, Duchess of Viseu. She was the daughter of King Manuel I of Portugal.
Maria of Portugal, Duchess of Viseu
Source: picture
In 1681 the construction of the current church began after previous structures collapsed.
 |
| Small National Panteon - Lisbon - Portugal |
The design was made by João Antunes, the royal architect and one of the most important baroque architects of Portugal.
 |
| Dome of the National Pantheon in Lisbon - Portugal |
In 1916, during the First Portuguese Republic, the Church of Santa Engrácia was converted into a National Pantheon. It was compleded in 1966. There are a few important monuments for famous Portuguese people:
buried:
- Amália Rodrigues (fado singer);
- Eusébio (football player)
cenotaphs:
- Pedro Álvares Cabral;
- Vasco da Gama;
- Henry the Navigator.
 |
| cenotaph of Vasco da Gama - National Pantheon - Lisbon - Portugal |
The design
The church has a centralised floorplan with a Greek Cross shape. The façade was ornated with Baroque designs. There also is a high central dome which was finished in the 20th. century.
 |
| inside the National Pantheon - Lisbon - Portugal |
A visit
My husband and I visited the National Pantheon in Lisbon, Portugal in 2016. It is one of the largest and most impressing monuments of the city. So it is really worth to pay a visit. The rooftop of National Pantheon has an amazing view over Lisbon. It also is nice that Portugal treasures its heritage.
Comments