Igreja e Monasterio de Sao Vicente de Fora - Panteao Real

Largo de Sao Vicente,
1100-572 LISBOA

Opening hours:

Tuesday - Saturday: 9 am - 5.30 pm
Sunday and holidays: 9 am - 1 pm
Monday - closed

Tel: (351) 218824400
Fax: (351) 218824409

Entrance is free


The original church of Sao Vicente de Fora was erected in 12th century by King Afonso Henriques to express the gratitude of recapturing Lisbon from the Moors. This Romanesque building was replaced by the current church built between 1582 and 1629 during the reigns of Filipe II. Since there it was few times modified but the largest restoration took place after the earthquake in 1755, when the main dome and roof collapsed. Since 1855 the church became the Pantheon of the Bragança dynasty.

The main facade of the monastery is crowned by two bell towers. In its three niches are placed the statues of Saint Vincent, Saint Augustus and Saint Sebastian. The church's interior houses also the tombs of all Portugal's kings, from 1640 to 1910, from the Joao IV to Carlos. But the most interesting and worth to see is the impressive series of 18th century tile panels, which reflects the history of the monastery since its inauguration, portrays few Portugal's kings, shows hunting and rural scenes. Some of them also displays the Lisbon's conquest story. The most unique one, and the most beautiful is the collection of 38 panels illustrating pictures from Fables of La Fontaine.