The Lisbon Cathedral
The Cathedral can be found near Praça do Comercio in the Alfama Quarter.
The original building dates back to the 12th century when the troops of King Afonso Henriques took back Lisbon from Moorish hands, although the present one was rebuilt after the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake according to most of the original characteristics.
Exterior
The Exterior of the Cathedral ( Sé Catedral ) is extremely sober and it resembles a small castle with it’s battlements and two defensive towers. That’s because in the 12th century all religious buildings also had to serve as fortresses given the context of the Reconquista. Again the fortified Romanesque design of the Cathedral and the near absence of windows remind us that it was built in a war period.
Interior
The interior of the Lisbon Cathedral is dark due to the absence of windows and very spartan like the exterior.
To the left you will find the Baptismal Chapel with tiles depicting some of Saint Anthony’s miracles. It was in this baptismal font that the Saint was baptized, he was born just a few meters down the street where Saint Anthony’s Church is today. He is known as Saint Anthony of Padua because it was the place where he died, although he was born in Lisbon.
To the right of the Main Altar you will find Saint Vincent’s Chapel with paintings related to his life. Saint Vincent is the patron saint of Lisbon and his symbols are a boat and two crows.
The Cloister
The entrance to the cloister is paid and there you can see archaeological diggings showing remains since the Roman to the Medieval periods.
