The Church of Saint Anthony is dedicated to Saint Anthony of Lisbon (Santo Antonio de Lisboa), widely known as Saint Anthony of Padua. It is located on the very site where the saint was allegedly born, neighboring on a museum dedicated to him (Saint Anthony Museum).

The saint was born in 1195, but after long missionary pursuits, he eventually settled in Padua (hence, his name). He was canonized in 1232, and he was retained and praised as patron of brides and matchmaker. An entire festival is dedicated to this saint (Saint Anthony’s Day), held on June the 13th, in the wider context of the Popular Saint Festivities.

The present church dates back to 1767, when the construction works were carried out by following the design of Mateus Vicente de Oliveira, who conceived it in the spirit of the Baroque style with notable Rococo elements. However, this is not the original church. The first place of worship dedicated to Saint Anthony was built no later than the 15th century. We speak of a chapel which was rebuilt as a church proper in the 16th century, under the reign of King Manuel I. The next in line to order the reconstruction of the church was King Joao V, in 1730. This church was also raised to the ground in the 1755 earthquake.

Interior highlights refer to an altarpiece rendering the patron saint holding baby Jesus in his arms and to a tile panel designed to remind of the visit of Pope John Paul II to this church in 1982.

Name:
Church of Saint Anthony (Igreja de Santo Antonio de Lisboa)
Address:
Largo Santo Antonio a Se, Lisbon, Portugal
Opening hours:
daily: 8am to 7.30pm
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