As from 1966, under the rule of Antonio de Oliveira Salazar, the Church of Santa Engracia has been renamed the National Pantheon due to the fact plenty of nationwide important personalities have been buried here, from statesmen to artists. Thus, by visiting the church, tourists can see the tombs of the likes of Amalia Rodrigues (one of the greatest fado singers in Portugal), Almeida Garrett, Joao de Deus, Guerra Junqueiro and Aquilino Ribeiro Manuel de Arriaga (major national writers) and of statesmen like Teofilo Braga, Oscar Carmona and Sidonio Pais, next to the tomb of Humberto Delgado. Visitors can also admire the cenotaphs of Henry the Navigator and of Vasco da Gama, as well as the cenotaphs of sundry other resonant figures: Pedro Alvares Cabral, Nuno Alvares Pereira, Luis de Camoes and Afonso de Albuquerque.

The Church of Santa Engracia is located in the vicinity of the Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora, another major tourist sight of Lisbon, in the Alfama district. The construction works at the present structure started in 1681, following the plans of the celebrated 17th century royal architect Joao Antunes. The church was supposed to replace a former church dedicated to Santa Engracia, which had been built in the second half of the 16th century by order to Princess Maria. But given the main architect, the said Joao Antunes, died in 1712, the construction works ceased, only to be resumed no sooner than the 20th century.

Architecturally speaking, the church stands out by a Baroque facade and by a baroque portal overtopped by the statues of two angels who hold the coat of arms of Portugal. The dome of the edifice (added in the 20th century) provides excellent views of the Tagus River. The interior of the church is dominated by multicolored marble patterns (on the walls and on the floor), again designed in a Baroque style. The prominence of the Baroque is further enhanced by an organ built in the 18th century.

Lisbon Card holders benefit from free entrance to the National Pantheon.

Name:
Church of Santa Engracia / National Pantheon (Igreja de Santa Engracia / Panteao Nacional)
Address:
Campo de Santa Clara, Lisbon, Portugal
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Sunday: 10am to 5pm
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