Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora

About the museum

During the siege of Lisbon in 1147, D. Afonso Henriques promised to build a monastery dedicated to Saint Vincent if he conquered the city. The monastery was founded that same year outside the city walls, which explains its name “de Fora” (“outside”). It was occupied by the Augustinian canons regular until 1834, when religious orders were abolished in Portugal; it was here that Saint Anthony spent his early years as a monk.

In 1580, at the beginning of the Philippine period, rebuilding the monastery became the great project of the reign, designed by Filippo Terzi, Juan de Herrera and Baltazar Álvares and considered the first major Mannerist building in Portugal. Under the reigns of D. Pedro II and D. João V, the rich decoration seen today was added, with inlaid marble, azulejo panels and paintings.

In the 19th century the building passed to the State and housed, among other services, the Liceu Gil Vicente. Today it is home to the Curia of the Patriarchate of Lisbon and a museum that documents the history and legacy of the Patriarchate. The route includes the church, the sacristy, the two cloisters covered in Baroque azulejos, the medieval cistern, the Royal Pantheon of the Bragança dynasty, the Pantheon of the Patriarchs and the church terrace, with a panoramic view over Lisbon and the Tagus.

Highlights

• Cloisters covered in Baroque azulejos with La Fontaine's Fables
• Royal Pantheon of the Bragança dynasty
• Sacristy with 18th-century inlaid marble
• Cistern from the 12th century, a remnant of the medieval monastery
• Church terrace with a 360-degree panoramic view
• Pantheon of the Patriarchs of Lisbon

Permanent exhibitions

• A Igreja Lisbonense e os Patriarcas – The founding of the Patriarchate of Lisbon in 1716 and the history of the Church of Lisbon and its patriarchs, with a core of sacred art.
• 2000 Anos de História – Everyday objects found in the former refuse dump beside the monastery wall, used between the 12th and 18th centuries.
• Fábulas de La Fontaine – Thirty-eight azulejo panels with La Fontaine's Fables, which covered the cloisters between the 18th and 20th centuries and were later restored.

Founded

1147

Operated by

Patriarcado de Lisboa

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of each month, for citizens resident in Portugal, with proof.

Free admission also for priests and consecrated persons, with proof, and for school, catechism and scout groups in Portugal, with prior booking and authorisation.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Coordinates provided by the monastery: 38.714356, -9.1292648.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check

Large items must be left at the monastery reception.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit