Church of Santa Engrácia “Igreja de Santa Engrácia”

 

After seeing this massive white dome overlooking the city for months, we finally decided it was time for a visit.

(Hey, I even made my own sketch of the dome on the hill!)

 The Church of Saint Engrácia was built in 1682, but became the National Pantheon in 1916. Its large dome was only completed in 1966, making it the monument that took the longest to complete in all of Portugal. There’s even an expression in the country for something that takes forever -- “a job like St. Engrácia.”

The interior was inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and is covered by polished multicolored marble. 

The church was never actually used as a place of worship. 

There is no main altar like a church, but there is a pipe organ in the center of the front that is said to have been built in the 18 century. Apparently it was brought in from Lisbon Cathedral.

Some of Portugal’s most famous citizens are buried here.

 

A highlight of the visit was taking in the magnificent view of the city and the Tagus River from the rooftop terrace.

I'm glad we hiked up the hill to visit Santa Engrácia.😁