Igreja Paroquial da Graça

For us, the most interesting church in Lisbon. Panoramic views with wine on the rooftop included.

The seat of the Lisbon bishop stands where the Christians set up camp in 1147 to seize the castle from the Arabs. Nothing remains of the original structure, and its history is complex and endless. The essentials: Aljubarrota (the most important battle in Portuguese identity) is linked to a sign from the Virgin Mary at the Augustinian monastery founded here in 1271, which leads to annual processions on the anniversary. Its significance in great times is highlighted by the burial chapel of the Albuquerque family, incredibly important for overseas expansion.

 

 

Jesus made of nails. Located at the church organ. It's for sale.

 

 

In broad terms, what you’ll see is a Baroque building with an opulent church and parts of the monastery. Beyond the core area, there are plans to convert it into a hotel, though details are currently unclear. Please invest five euros for the highlights: a magnificent exhibition of modern sacred art, access to the gallery, and especially to the rooftop. There, you can enjoy your admission fee with a glass of wine (or water) while standing above the rooftops, more so than anywhere else. It’s right next to the Graça viewpoint, which is actually named after Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, one of Portugal’s most important contemporary authors.