Church of San Roque

The Church of San Roque in Lisbon occupies a special place among the famous places of Portugal. It is located in the capital of the country, and its alternative name is St. Roch's Cathedral. The interior consists of eight chapels, an altar space and a transverse transept. The interior of the church is richly decorated with gilding, tiles and marble. It is one of the few buildings that were able to survive the earthquake.

The history of San Roque Church in Lisbon

St. Roch's Cathedral is one of the oldest Jesuit Catholic churches in all of Portugal. The exact date of its construction is unknown, it served as a local church for parishioners for more than 220 years, after which the Jesuit movement was expelled from Portugal. At the beginning of 1756, a major earthquake occurred in Portugal, which destroyed most of the facade of the church, and it was decided to transfer it and the surrounding areas to the house of "goodness" in Lisbon. According to the stories of local clergy, the cathedral was built in Rome and was brought to Lisbon on several ships. One of the chapels, which is located inside the Church of San Roque in Lisbon, was consecrated by the Pope himself. At one time, she was also under the patronage of the Order of Christ, the heirs of the Templars.

Architecture of San Roque Church in Lisbon

The exterior decoration is quite simple - it is made in the style of classical European buildings of the 18th century, but the appearance of the church is deceptive. Inside, the visitor is greeted by rich finishes of gold and silver, ivory, and the floors are made of expensive marble. One of the interesting elements of the church are the paintings that embody the life of the Order.

An important part of the Church of San Roque in Lisbon are the chapels, where 8 chapels are located. All the chapels were made by famous Italian craftsmen, among whom Di Matus actively participated. Especially striking is the fourth chapel, made in the old Renaissance style, where special attention was paid to the patterned decoration. The church took its name thanks to its patron saint, Saint Rock, whose images are "scattered" around the church in the form of church subjects. It is forbidden to take photos inside the church, so tourists have to admire the beauty of the church without auxiliary equipment.

The eight chapels of the church were recognized as one of the most unique architectural monuments in Europe. Thousands of tourists visit this place every year, and none of the visitors remains indifferent to such beauty. For the convenience of tourists, a museum has been created next to the cathedral, where you can buy various jewelry, as well as numerous church utensils. If you are in the beautiful and ancient city of Lisbon, be sure to visit this place, the impressions will definitely stay with you for many years to come.

Lisbon is an amazing old city located in the center of Europe. Here you can stroll through the old streets, visit historical museums, as well as visit the old Catholic cathedrals, of which there are many in Portugal. Of course, among them, one of the special places is occupied by the Church of San Roque in Lisbon, which is famous throughout Europe.