Description

Essentials about Estrela Basilica in brief

Those interested in churches are recommended to visit the Basílica da Estrela (Star Basilica) in the Estrela district of the same name. Due to its location somewhat outside the city center of Lisbon, the basilica is left behind by many tourists. However, this is completely unjustified, because it is one of the most beautiful and imposing churches of the Portuguese capital.

The history of Estrela Basilica

The church, which is actually called “Real Basílica e Convento do Santíssimo Coração de Jesus” (Royal Basilica and Convent of the Sacred Heart of Jesus), can be traced back historically to the Portuguese royal couple Mary I and Peter III. Before their accession to the throne, the two vowed to build a church if they were given a male heir to the throne. Infante Joseph was finally born in 1761. With her accession to the throne in 1777, Mary kept her promise and commissioned the construction of the church, which began two years later. Prince Joseph did not live to see its completion in 1790. He had succumbed to smallpox two years earlier.

The architecture of Estrela Basilica

Located on a hill in the west of Lisbon, the Baroque church was first designed and built by Mateus Vicente de Oliveira and later by José da Costa e Silva. Like the Palace of Mafra or the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora, Estrela Basilica has a double-towered facade of white limestone. The Early Classicist bell towers frame a portal decorated with Corinthian columns and figures of saints and allegories. The floor plan of the wall-pierced church shows a Latin cross with a dome supporting the crossing.

The interior of Estrela Basilica

Estrela Basilica is not only a beautiful sight from the outside. The interior of the church was also lavishly designed. The walls and floor of the spacious nave are covered with gray, pink and yellow marble. Frescoes and paintings are partly by Pompeo Batoni. They are among the last works of the Italian painter, who died shortly before the completion of the building. The workshop of Machado de Castro, one of the most important sculptors in Portuguese history, was also involved in the design of the basilica with some sculptures. Probably the most famous work of Machado de Castro is the more than 500-piece nativity scene made of cork and terracotta, which is a must-see when visiting the church.

The patron, Queen Mary I, found her final resting place in Estrela Basilica after dying in exile in Brazil in 1816. She and Brazilian Emperor Peter I, buried in the Monumento à Independência do Brasil in São Paulo, are the only monarchs of the Portuguese Braganza dynasty not buried in the Panteão da Casa de Bragança in the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora.

If you want to experience a great view, you can climb the roof of the basilica and walk a lap around its dome. From the roof, there is a great panoramic view of Lisbon and the mouth of the Tagus River.

Website

Unavailable.

Opening hours

Admission fees

Basilica: free

Nativity scene: €2

Dome: €5

Address

Getting there

By public transport:

Bus lines 713, 773 and 774: Stop Estrela

Tram lines 25E and 28E: Stop Estrela

By car:

There is a parking lot on site.