Rating
4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)
Interesting Sites Nearby
User Reviews
J G (10 months ago)
The church has a lot of reliquaries and saints relics. It a smallish church that packs a punch with the visuals, chapels, alters. We went late in the day and didn't have time to go to the museum attached.
The church has a lot of reliquaries and saints relics. It a smallish church that packs a punch with the visuals, chapels, alters. We went late in the day and didn't have time to go to the museum attached.
Amaya Love (12 months ago)
Visiting the Church of Saint Roch (Igreja de São Roque) in Lisbon was an unforgettable experience. From its modest exterior, you could never guess the artistic and historical treasures that lie within. The church's interior is a breathtaking display of Baroque artistry, with every inch adorned in marbles, gold, precious paintings, and the traditional Portuguese azulejos tiles. The ceiling painted by Francisco Venegas offers a splendid example of the Mannerist movement, perfectly blending classical architecture with Baroque details. The church's history, closely tied with the Jesuits and surviving the devastating 1755 Lisbon earthquake, adds layers of depth to the visit, making it not just an artistic journey but a trip through time. I highly recommend taking the time to explore this hidden gem; its serene and spiritually uplifting atmosphere is truly remarkable.
Visiting the Church of Saint Roch (Igreja de São Roque) in Lisbon was an unforgettable experience. From its modest exterior, you could never guess the artistic and historical treasures that lie within. The church's interior is a breathtaking display of Baroque artistry, with every inch adorned in marbles, gold, precious paintings, and the traditional Portuguese azulejos tiles. The ceiling painted by Francisco Venegas offers a splendid example of the Mannerist movement, perfectly blending classical architecture with Baroque details. The church's history, closely tied with the Jesuits and surviving the devastating 1755 Lisbon earthquake, adds layers of depth to the visit, making it not just an artistic journey but a trip through time. I highly recommend taking the time to explore this hidden gem; its serene and spiritually uplifting atmosphere is truly remarkable.
Donna Brown (12 months ago)
Absolutely stunning church in Lisbon Portugal...this was by far the most extravagant one we have seen...it also was free to enter which was nice as some charge for a walk through
Absolutely stunning church in Lisbon Portugal...this was by far the most extravagant one we have seen...it also was free to enter which was nice as some charge for a walk through
Emona Ten (14 months ago)
One of the most beautiful churches I've ever been in. It's nothing much to look at from the outside, but I was pleasantly surprised when stepped into the church. There are well-preserved ancient relics, including bones from martyrs on display . It's a must-visit when in Lisbon
One of the most beautiful churches I've ever been in. It's nothing much to look at from the outside, but I was pleasantly surprised when stepped into the church. There are well-preserved ancient relics, including bones from martyrs on display . It's a must-visit when in Lisbon
Graham Gould (2 years ago)
Having visited churches and cathedrals all over Europe, I would say that the Igreja de São Roque (the Church of Saint Roch) is one of the most elaborately decorated. The wooden ceiling is colourfully painted with angels and cherubs and fancy scrolls. The roof painting also includes two fake domes. The main body of the church is completely open, there being no pillars to support the roof. On both sides of the nave there are a series of small chapels deeply recessed into the side walls. These are very ornately decorated with designs heavily carved from wood and then covered with gold leaf or gold paint. This is supplemented with marble and some of the chapels feature large and heavily framed oil paintings. High above these side chapels, large paintings also hang on the walls. The original church on this site was built starting in 1506. It was a shine to host a relic of Saint Roch in the belief that it would protect the people of Lisbon from the plague which was sweeping through southern Europe at that time. In 1555 the church was re-built as the Main House of the Society of Jesus, which had been founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola in 1534. This was in part a counter balance by the Catholic Church to the austerity advocated by Martin Luther and the Protestants. The elaborate ornamentation of the Jesuit churches is in marked contrast to the simplicity and plain designs of the Protestant churches. The Church of Saint Roch has been modified and added to many times since 1555, but its decoration is still very rich, impressive and beautiful. One can only imagine how awed were the ordinary people of Lisbon when entering such a building. Visitors can enter the church free of charge. The exit for visitors takes you into the adjacent building which is the Museum of São Roque. There you have the choice to exit back into the street or pay €2.50 to visit the Museum. Entry to the Museum is free on Sundays and free at all times for children up to 14 and adults over 65. It is well worth the modest entry fee and takes about an hour or maybe a little more to see everything. All the exhibits are accompanied by explanations and historical context on adjacent display panels which are printed in Portuguese and English. There are good toilet facilities, free WiFi and a small shop.
Having visited churches and cathedrals all over Europe, I would say that the Igreja de São Roque (the Church of Saint Roch) is one of the most elaborately decorated. The wooden ceiling is colourfully painted with angels and cherubs and fancy scrolls. The roof painting also includes two fake domes. The main body of the church is completely open, there being no pillars to support the roof. On both sides of the nave there are a series of small chapels deeply recessed into the side walls. These are very ornately decorated with designs heavily carved from wood and then covered with gold leaf or gold paint. This is supplemented with marble and some of the chapels feature large and heavily framed oil paintings. High above these side chapels, large paintings also hang on the walls. The original church on this site was built starting in 1506. It was a shine to host a relic of Saint Roch in the belief that it would protect the people of Lisbon from the plague which was sweeping through southern Europe at that time. In 1555 the church was re-built as the Main House of the Society of Jesus, which had been founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola in 1534. This was in part a counter balance by the Catholic Church to the austerity advocated by Martin Luther and the Protestants. The elaborate ornamentation of the Jesuit churches is in marked contrast to the simplicity and plain designs of the Protestant churches. The Church of Saint Roch has been modified and added to many times since 1555, but its decoration is still very rich, impressive and beautiful. One can only imagine how awed were the ordinary people of Lisbon when entering such a building. Visitors can enter the church free of charge. The exit for visitors takes you into the adjacent building which is the Museum of São Roque. There you have the choice to exit back into the street or pay €2.50 to visit the Museum. Entry to the Museum is free on Sundays and free at all times for children up to 14 and adults over 65. It is well worth the modest entry fee and takes about an hour or maybe a little more to see everything. All the exhibits are accompanied by explanations and historical context on adjacent display panels which are printed in Portuguese and English. There are good toilet facilities, free WiFi and a small shop.
