Mosteiro De São Vicente De Fora

Category: Art & Architecture

Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Portugal’s political influence was reflected in the elaborate architecture and beautiful artworks that filled many of the houses and private palaces in Lisbon. 

Since then, political power has shifted several times, borders been redrawn and today Portugal finds itself a small country in the southwestern part of Europe, at the border to North Africa. 

However, its rich history is still present and through monuments and buildings, it points to a time when things were different. 

Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora was built on the instructions of D. Afonso Henriques, after conquering the city after the siege in 1147. It is dedicated to Saint Vincent, worshipped among the Mozarabs, and its location at the time was outside the city walls (which is what “de Fora” refers to). Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora was built on the instructions of D. Afonso Henriques, after conquering the city after the siege in 1147. It is dedicated to Saint Vincent, worshipped among the Mozarabs, and its location at the time was outside the city walls (which is what “de Fora” refers to). 

The building was reconstructed in 1580, when Portugal and Spain were part of the same kingdom, and the new design – one of the first Mannerist buildings in Portugal – was planned by architects Filippo Terzi, Juan Herrera and Baltazar Alvares. 

In the 17th and 18th centuries, rich artistic decoration was added.

The building was used by Canons Regular of the Order of Saint Augustine (who had lived his early days as a monk here) until 1834, when religious orders became forbidden in Portugal. Today, it houses the Curia of the Patriarchate. 

One of its main attractions is the two cloisters, completely coated with Baroque glazed tile panels that depict various profane scenes. 

It is one of the best examples of Portuguese tile-sets from this period. 

Near the cloisters is the royal pantheon of the Bragança, which was the last and largest dynasty – including emperors, kings, princes, and dukes – of Portugal. 

During the Renaissance period, this was one of the wealthiest and most powerful noble houses of Iberia, even ruling Portugal and the Portuguese Empire for several centuries, beginning in 1640, including ruling as monarchs of Brazil at one point. 

Not only did they have financial power, but the family also had strong international cultural influence – it was Catherine of Braganza who, as wife of Charles II of England, introduced tea to Britain. 

Regardless of the monastery’s interesting history, it is its rooftop views that make the visit worthwhile. 

From the terraces, you have the best 360-degree panoramic view of Lisbon and the river Tagus. Visiting at sunset is the best time, as this is when it has fewest visitors and the scenery is the most magical.