Recently made news because of the dinner organized by the Web Summit, the Panteão Nacional de Lisboa was created by decree of September 26, 1836 and it was installed in Lisbon, in the Church of Santa Engrácia.
Founded in the second half of the 16th century and located in the historic area of Santa Clara, it occupies the building originally intended for Santa Engrácia church, welcoming the tombs of great figures of Portuguese history. The building was completely rebuilt in the late sixteenth century by the architect João Antunes, being an important element in the profile of the city and offering privileged points of view over the historic area and over the river Tejo, is classified as a National Monument.
With more than 120,000 visits in 2016 alone, the Panteão Nacional de Lisboa is a beautiful architectural example in Lisbon and is dedicated to honoring the memory of the Portuguese citizens who have distinguished themselves by services provided to the Country in the exercise of high public, high office military services, the expansion of Portuguese culture, literary, scientific and artistic creation or the defense of the values of civilization.
Opened to the public on December 1, 1966, with inaugural presided by Cardinal Cerejeira in the presence of the President of the Republic Americo Tomás and the President of the Council Oliveira Salazar, it is considered the first baroque monument in the country, crowned by a giant pinnacle and the interior is paved with various types of colored marble.
The present temple is located at the site of a church erected in 1568, by determination of the Infanta D. Maria, daughter of D. Manuel I, to receive the reliquary of the virgin martyr Engrácia of Saragoza but was severely damaged by a storm in the year of 1681. The works lasted so long that it was only completed in 1966, 284 years after its beginning, by express determination of the government of the time, after advances and retreats in its construction and until having served as warehouse of armament of the Arsenal of the Army and of shoe factory in the 19th and 20th centuries.
In the Panteão Nacional de Lisboa, it is possible to meet the great figures of Portugal, such as:
- Almeida Garrett – writer and politician;
- Amália Rodrigues – fadista;
- Eusébio da Silva Ferreira – footballer;
- Guerra Junqueiro – writer;
- Humberto Delgado – an opponent of the Estado Novo;
- Manuel de Arriaga – President of the Republic;
- Sidónio Pais – President of the Republic;
- Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen – writer;
- Teófilo Braga – President of the Republic;
To visit the Panteão Nacional de Lisboa, you should go to Campo de Santa Clara, the normal ticket price is 4 €, free on the 1st Sunday of each month for individual visits and small groups (all members of groups over 12 people pay a ticket), including children and youngsters up to and including 12 years old. The schedule is from Monday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 17:00. Closed on Monday, 1st January, Easter Sunday, 1st May and 25th December.
If you have time and interest, near the Panteão Nacional de Lisboa is held weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, the traditional Feira da Ladra.
The metro station is Santa Apolónia (blue line) and through Tram 28 (https://electrictuk.pt/meet-the-story-of-the-mythical-tram-28/)
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