Estrela Basilica
1200-667 Lisbon
Reinaldo Manuel dos Santos
The Estrela Basilica (Portuguese: Basílica da Estrela [iʃˈtɾelɐ]) or the Royal Basilica and Convent of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (Portuguese: Real Basílica e Convento do Santíssimo Coração de Jesus), is a minor basilica and ancient carmelite convent in Lisbon, Portugal.
Ordered built by Queen Maria I of Portugal as the fulfilment of a vow, the Basilica is not only a product of the Queen's particularly fervent devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, but remains the most important architectural endeavour of her reign. The Estrela Basilica was the first church in the world dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
History
Shortly after her wedding to her uncle Infante Peter of Braganza in 1760, Maria, Princess of Brazil vowed, before an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Convent of Carnide, to build a church and convent under the Rule of Saint Theresa if she was given the grace of bearing children that would assure the succession of the House of Braganza.[2] Princess Maria was, at the time, the eldest daughter and heiress presumptive of King Joseph I, whom she eventually succeeded after his death in 1777. She gave birth to her first child, Joseph, Prince of Beira, on 20 August 1761 (who died of smallpox in 1788, while construction of the Basilica was underway).
Only after acceding to the throne could Queen Maria afford to see to the fulfilment of her vow. Construction began in 1779; the groundbreaking ceremony took place on 24 October: the Queen's husband, Peter III, laid the first cornerstone and Fr. António Pereira de Figueiredo [pt] delivered the speech.
Mateus Vicente de Oliveira, an important court architect, is made in charge of the works: it is under his direction that the construction of the conventual areas was carried out (from February 1778 to May 1781), as well as the beginning of the Basilica. Oliveira died in 1785, and was replaced with Reinaldo Manuel dos Santos, who saw to the conclusion of the works. Reinaldo Manuel made substantial alterations to the exterior design of the church (namely, a different design of the pediment, of the façade, of the bell towers, and of the dome to which he added a roof lantern).[2]
Architecture
The huge church has a giant dome, and is located in a hill in what was at the time the western part of Lisbon and can be viewed from far away. The style is similar to the Mafra National Palace, in late baroque and neoclassical. The front has twin bell towers and includes statues of saints and some allegoric figures.
A large quantity of grey, pink and yellow marble was used in the floor and walls, in intricate geometric patterns, one of the most beautiful in European churches. Several paintings by Pompeo Batoni also contribute to a balanced design. The tomb of the Queen Maria I is in the right transept. A famous nativity scene made by sculptor Joaquim Machado de Castro, with more than 500 figures in cork and terra cotta is a major attraction to visitors.
See also
- St. George's Anglican Church - located nearby
References
- ^ "Paróquia da Lapa". patriarcado-lisboa.pt. Patriarchate of Lisbon. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
- ^ a b Saldanha, Sandra Costa (2007). A Basílica da Estrela: Real Fábrica do Santíssimo Coração de Jesus (in Portuguese). Livros Horizonte. ISBN 978-972-24-1421-0.
External links
Media related to Estrela Basilica at Wikimedia Commons
- v
- t
- e
- Águas Livres Aqueduct
- Ascensor da Bica
- Ascensor da Glória
- Belém Tower
- Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal
- British Cemetery
- Café A Brasileira
- Campo Pequeno Bullring
- Casa dos Bicos
- Casa Fernando Pessoa
- Cordoaria Nacional
- Gare do Oriente
- Lisbon Astronomical Observatory
- Lisbon Oceanarium
- Lisbon Zoo
- Mercado de Campo de Ourique
- Pillory of Lisbon
- Prazeres Cemetery
- Rossio Train Station
- Rua Augusta Arch
- Santa Justa Lift
- São Jorge Castle
- Torre do Tombo National Archive
- Vasco da Gama Tower
- Vasco da Gama Bridge
- 25 de Abril Bridge
- Berardo - Art Deco Museum
- Berardo Collection Museum
- Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
- Carmo Convent Archaeological Museum
- Carris Museum
- Casa-Museu Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves
- Cordoaria Nacional
- Electricity Museum
- Ephemeral Museum
- José Saramago Foundation
- Macau Science and Culture Centre
- Museu da Água
- Museu Benfica
- Museu da Marioneta
- Museu Nacional da Música
- Museu das Comunicações
- Museu de Arte Popular
- Museum of Lisbon
- Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology
- Museum of the Orient
- Museum of the Resistance and Liberty
- National Museum of Archaeology
- National Museum of the Azulejo
- National Coach Museum
- National Museum of Ancient Art
- National Museum of Contemporary Art
- National Museum of Clothing
- National Museum of Ethnology
- National Museum of Natural History & Science
- National Theatre and Dance Museum
- Naval Museum
- Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro Museum
- Ajuda National Palace
- Belém Palace
- Bemposta Palace
- Burnay Palace
- Galveias Palace
- Monteiro-Mor Palace
- Necessidades Palace
- Palace of the Counts of Azambuja
- Palace of the Counts of Redondo
- Palace of the Dukes of Palmela
- Palace of the Marquises of Fronteira
- Palacete Mayer
- Palacio Belmonte
- Panaca Palace
- Penafiel Palace
- Pestana Palace
- Pimenta Palace
- Quinta dos Lagares d'El-Rei
- São Bento Mansion
- São Bento Palace
- Sotto Mayor Palace
- Verride Palace
- Conceição Velha Church
- Estrela Basilica
- Jerónimos Monastery
- Igreja dos Anjos
- Igreja da Madalena
- Igreja da Memória
- Igreja do Menino Deus
- National Pantheon
- Santo António Church
- São Domingos Church
- São Roque Church
- Santa Luzia Church
- Santa Teresa de Jesus de Carnide Convent
- Santo Estêvão Church
- Lisbon Cathedral
- Lisbon Synagogue
- Madre de Deus Convent
- Mártires Basilica
- Monastery of São Vicente de Fora
- Monastery of the Mónicas
- St. George's Church
and parks
- Avenida da Liberdade
- Afonso de Albuquerque Square
- Bela Vista Park
- Eduardo VII Park
- Estufa Fria
- Gulbenkian Park
- Marquis of Pombal Square
- Monsanto Forest Park
- Praça da Figueira
- Praça de Entrecampos
- Praça de Espanha
- Praça do Comércio
- Praça do Império
- Praça Martim Moniz
- Restauradores Square
- Rossio Square
neighborhoods
- Doclisboa
- Festival da Canção
- Globos de Ouro
- Lisboa Games Week
- Lisbon Book Fair
- Lisbon & Estoril Film Festival
- Lisbon Marathon
- Lisbon Half Marathon
- Lisbon Christmas tree
- LPFP Awards
- Ludopolis
- NOS Alive
- Olhares do Mediterrâneo - Cinema no Feminino
- Portugal Day
- Queer Lisboa International Queer Film Festival
- Sophia Awards
- Super Bock Super Rock
- Web Summit
entertainment
- Associação Gaita-de-fole
- Banda Sinfónica da Guarda Nacional Republicana
- Casino Lisboa
- Cinemateca Portuguesa
- Coliseu dos Recreios
- Cultural Centre of Belém
- Estádio da Luz
- Estádio da Tapadinha
- Estádio do Restelo
- Estádio José Alvalade
- Gulbenkian Orchestra
- Hot Club of Portugal
- Lisbon University Stadium
- MEO Arena
- National Ballet of Portugal
- Royal Patriarchal Music Seminary of Lisbon