Church of Sao Vicente de Fora

Sao Vincente de Fora is a church located within walking distance from the Lisbon Cathedral. We did not plan to visit it but as we were walking it was just in front of us so we decided to get in and take a look.

The Church or Monastery of São Vicente de Fora, meaning "Monastery of St. Vincent Outside the Walls", is a 17th-century church and monastery in the Alfama district. It is one of the most important monasteries and mannerist buildings in the country.

The present building dates from the rule of Kihng Philip II of Spain over Portugal from 1580. The buildings were much damaged in the 1755 earthquake and subsequently repaired.

Steps leading to the entrance of the church.

The original church was founded in the 12th century by King Afonso Henriques, for the Augustinian Order and takes its name from its original location outside (fora) the city walls.

View of the streets below from the steps of the church.

The facade of the church has tree doors, above which are three recesses with statues, and above those are three windows. Bell tower flank the the three doors.

The facade of the churchis built in the architectural style known as Mannerism with two towers flanking niches holding statues of saints.

This is the old entry hall with black and white marble floors.

The interior of the church has a barrel vaulted ceiling with a Baroque altar by the Portuguese sculptor Joaquim Machado de Castro (1731-1822).

View of the Nave from the entrance.

The nave looking toward the altar with barrel vaulted ceiling.

The beautiful main altarpiece is a Baroque work of the 18th century by one of the best Portuguese sculptors, Joaquim Machado de Castro. It has the shape of a baldachin and is decorated with a large number of statues. The church also boasts several fine altarpieces in the lateral chapels.