25/11/2024
Located at the Trindade Coelho’s yard, in downtown Lisbon, lies one of Lisbon’s most notable churches: the Church of São Roque.
Dedicated to Saint Roch, the protector against plagues, the first chapel was built in the early XVI century, following the plagues that devastated Lisbon, right next to the graveyard where those who died were buried. Sponsored by the local people and represented by the Brotherhood of São Roque, this hermitage would house the relics of the saint that had been requested by King Manuel to the Venetian authorities.
Later in 1553, the Company of Jesus took over the site and were permitted to work on a new church, but only with the obligation to maintain the Chapel to Saint Roch on the interior. Austere looking on the outside in accordance with Jesuit preferences, the interior of the actual church is surprising. Several were the names of the artists who worked on the inside, with the decoration bearing witness of royal patronage, particularly of king João V. The combination of marble, gold leafing and tile murals, contribute to a scenic impression highlighted by the light-dark Mannerist contrasts.
The Church´s design has the mark of Filipe Terzi, royal architect to Filipe II of Portugal, the 3rd of Spain. On the inside, the Chapel of Saint John the Baptist stands out, because of its dazzling barroque alterpiece and the tromp-l’oeil ceiling, that along with most of the Church were spared from the Lisbon earthquake.
The museum adjoining the church is packed with elaborate sacred art and Holly relics.
In addition to all of this, the bamboo-lined courtyard is a treat of all of this complex, which now belongs to the Misericórdia de Lisboa (a Religious-Charitable Institution).
Visit: https://smpl.is/9uob3
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