Explore the historic highlights of Turku
Turku, Finland
ca. 15th century
Turku, Finland
1400-1410
Turku, Finland
1280
Turku, Finland
1999
Turku, Finland
ca. 1800
Turku, Finland
1819
Turku, Finland
1229
Turku, Finland
1899-1905
Turku, Finland
1351
Turku, Finland
1440
Turku, Finland
1793
Turku, Finland
12th century
The Cathedral of Saint Mary Major, often called Lisbon Cathedral or simply the Sé, is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Lisbon, Portugal. The oldest church in the city, it is the seat of the Patriarchate of Lisbon. The cathedral has survived many earthquakes and has been modified, renovated and restored several times. It is nowadays a mix of different architectural styles.
The site where it stands was the principal mosque of Lisbon when it was an Arab settlement. The construction of the cathedral started around 1150, three years after the city was conquered from the Moors during the Second Crusade. Shortly after the victory the English knight Gilbert of Hastings was named bishop of the city of Lisbon.
One good reason to visit the Cathedral is to visit its charming cloisters located in the back. There are several tombs in the cathedral, the most notable of which is the beautifully sculpted tomb of Lopo Fernandes Pacheco and his wife.