Sé de Lisboa is a cathedral in Alfama. This cathedral is the oldest and most famous in all of Lisbon.
If you take a walk in this place of worship, you will see architecture from a mixed bag of Roman, Gothic and Baroque periods. The idea for this cathedral was conceived by Alfonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, and was built on the site where once a mosque stood. Since then, this Roman Catholic church is here, and it’s also the seat of the archbishop.
Luis’s tip (72)
“I am not a deeply religious man, but the devotion and religious energy that surrounds this cathedral is almost tangible. A wonderful place to relax on a busy summer afternoon.”
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Architecture
If you walk around the cathedral, you will reach some striking details on the western wall. Here you can see a number of Romanesque motifs at the top of the carved columns of the portal.
Upon entering the cathedral you will discover the imposing Gothic vault. Check out the 17th-century baroque sacristy and the neoclassical chapel with the tomb of King Alfonso. See also the baptismal font that is supposed to be baptized by St. Anthony of Padua in 1195.
In the Gothic cloister on the east side of the cathedral you can see the damage that has been done during during the big earthquake of 1755. In fact, the whole cathedral was badly damaged, but fortunately it was fully renovated. The church was gradually rebuilt over the course of decades and underwent another major renovation in the 20th century.
How to get to Sé de Lisboa
The cathedral can be reached on foot and by tram from nearby attractions. There is no entrance fee to the cathedral itself but if you want to visit the cloisters, there’s a fee of €2,50.
The cathedral is closed on Mondays. Arrive early in the day to get out of the hustle of the city, and enjoy the morning light streaming in through the stained glass windows!
During the services the church is closed to the public. You can also visit the monastery behind the cathedral.
Where to find Sé de Lisboa
Address: Largo da Sé, Alfama
Opening hours: 09:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.