"Igreja de São Vicente de Fora" Lisbon Travelogue by Willettsworld

This large monastery and church meaning "Monastery of St. Vincent Outside the Walls" is located to the east of Castelo de São Jorge. The original monastery was founded in 1147 by the first Portuguese King, Afonso Henriques, for the Augustinian Order. It was built in Romanesque style outside the city walls and was one of the most important monastic foundations in medieval Portugal. It is dedicated to Saint Vincent of Saragossa, patron saint of Lisbon, whose relics were brought from the Algarve to Lisbon in the 12th century.

The present buildings are the result of a reconstruction ordered by King Philip II of Spain, who had become King of Portugal (as Philip I) after a succession crisis in 1580. The church of the monastery was built between 1582 and 1629, while other monastery buildings were finished only in the 18th century. The Monastery buildings are reached through a magnificent baroque portal, located beside the church façade. Inside, the entrance is decorated with blue-white 18th century tiles that tell the history of the Monastery, including scenes of the Siege of Lisbon in 1147. The ceiling of the room has an illusionistic painting executed in 1710 by the Italian Vincenzo Baccarelli. The sacristy of the Monastery is exuberantly decorated with polychrome marble and painting. The cloisters are also notable for the 18th century tiles that recount fables of La Fontaine, among other themes. The monastery is also the burial site of most of the Portuguese Kings of the House of Braganza where you can find tombs in the Braganza Pantheon. You can also climb up and walk around on the roof of the church for some good views of this part of the city. A must visit after you've visited the Castelo, if you have the time.