Take the old trolley #28 up to the Alfama and exit the trolley at St. Anthony’s Church. You will see the Se directly behind St. Anthony’s. St. Anthony’s is a Baroque church that was built in the 18th c. over the birthplace of the saint. There is a small museum next to the church. Behind the church and across the trolley tracks and the street, is the Se which is Lisbon‘s oldest church and the cathedral of the city. The structure is very large and of Romanesque origin dating back to the 12th c. It was built on the site of an Arab mosque after the first King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques captured the city from the Arabs. There is a museum, many tombs, and an archeological dig here. St. Anthony was baptized Fernando Martins de Bulhoes in the Se in 1195. Spend some time in the Se as it is full of history. Wander around and relive ancient history. You can almost imagine yourself in the Se centuries ago! If you are into history and/or travel adventures, take the time to add the Se to your itinerary. When you are ready to go, you can take the trolley or walk further up into the Alfama for more sightseeing discoveries. I wander the narrow streets and climb the steep steps in this ancient quarter and constantly find new and interesting places and people to talk to. Try the sardines that are grilled everywhere in the Alfama. Just follow the delicious aroma. Don’t miss the Alfama and its sights.
St. Anthony’s Church with the Se (Lisbon’s Cathedral , 12th Century) in the background, Alfama, Lisbon, Portugal. © 2012 Connie Hand. All rights reserved.
More Recommendations
The Church of St. Anthony and the Lisbon Se
Take the old trolley #28 up to the Alfama and exit the trolley at St. Anthony’s Church. You will see the Se directly behind St. Anthony’s. St. Anthony’s is a Baroque church that was built in the 18th c. over the birthplace of the saint. There is a small museum next to the church. Behind the church and across the trolley tracks and the street, is the Se which is Lisbon‘s oldest church and the cathedral of the city. The structure is very large and of Romanesque origin dating back to the 12th c. It was built on the site of an Arab mosque after the first King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques captured the city from the Arabs. There is a museum, many tombs, and an archeological dig here. St. Anthony was baptized Fernando Martins de Bulhoes in the Se in 1195. Spend some time in the Se as it is full of history. Wander around and relive ancient history. You can almost imagine yourself in the Se centuries ago! If you are into history and/or travel adventures, take the time to add the Se to your itinerary. When you are ready to go, you can take the trolley or walk further up into the Alfama for more sightseeing discoveries. I wander the narrow streets and climb the steep steps in this ancient quarter and constantly find new and interesting places and people to talk to. Try the sardines that are grilled everywhere in the Alfama. Just follow the delicious aroma. Don’t miss the Alfama and its sights.
Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Mary Major
The Se, the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Mary Major, is the oldest church in Lisbon. It has survived many earthquakes including the devastating 1755 earthquake. This photo is of one of the hallways in this huge church. In 1147, Afonso Henriques, Portugal’s first king, battled the Moors and took over the city for the Portuguese. This Romanesque cathedral was built on the site of a Moorish mosque by order of the King. Construction began in 1150. The Se is quite extensive. At first glance, you think there’s not much to see except the facade, but there is more. There are ruins in the main cloisters that have been excavated. Evidence has been found that dates to Roman, Arab, and Medieval periods. The treasury is worth the minimal entry price. You will see silver, relics, manuscripts, and statues. Many original treasures were lost in the earthquake of 1755. There are quite a few small altars and niches containing the ancient, gothic tombs of wealthy Lisboans. The tombs are decorated with their coats-of-arms. St. Anthony was born near the Cathedral and was baptized in the Se in 1195. Take trolley # 28 up to the Se in the Alfama. Make sure to put this on your list of things to do in Lisbon. The Cathedral is a huge and impressive structure. I take the trolley, get out at St. Anthony’s Church, visit it, and then go the the Se. Each visit gives me more information about this huge edifice and its history, and the history of beautiful, ancient, cosmopolitan Lisbon.
