Pantheon in Lisbon

The National Pantheon, housing the tombs of Portugal’s major historic celebrities, is located on the original site of the church of Santa Engrácia. Founded in the second half of the 16th century, the building was totally rebuilt at the end of the 17th century by the architect João Antunes. Even though it was never used as a place of worship, it still preserves, under its modern dome, a majestic nave with a polychrome marble decoration typical of the Portuguese Baroque architecture. Being an icon of Lisbon’s cityscape and having a privileged location, as it overlooks the city’s historic center and the river Tagus, it is listed as a National Monument.

The current building of the Lisbon National Pantheon was begun in the 17th century and only completed in the 20th century.

Situated in the Alfama district of Lisbon, the massive white dome is a prominent and easily identifiable feature of the city’s eastern skyline.

View from the front of the Pantheon.

The Pantheon is a Portuguese National Monument since 1910 and it is a unique example of Baroque style in Portugal.

It was a church of Santa Engracia when it was built in 1682, but became the National Pantheon in 1916.

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

The main façade has an entrance hall (galilee) and three niches with statues.

This is the first thing you see when you stepped inside. It is so beautiful!

The Church has a high central dome which was completed only in the 20th century.

Buying tickets to get in. Cost is 4 Euros per person.

We are going up to the Upper Choir and the terrace.

View from the upper choir looking down at the floor.

Architect, João Antunes prepared an ingenious design for Santa Engrácia, never before attempted in Portugal. The church was built on a octagonal floor plan centered on a Greek cross shape.

Each wing of the cross is equal in length.

The floor and walls are decorated with baroque, polychromed patterns of marble. The magnificent 18th-century baroque organ was brought from Lisbon Cathedral.

The color and pattern of the marbled floor are simply amazing and so striking.

There is no statuary in this ex-church, and the central feature is the high altar which is the 18th century organ that came from the Lisbon Cathedral which we just visited this morning.