Church of São Francisco de Paula

Church of São Francisco de Paula – former Minim Convent

The Church of São Francisco de Paula, in Estrela, was the church of the former convent of the Order of Minims, of which the cloistered area no longer survives. The hospice was founded in 1719 on land donated by the Marquis of Minas, and Queen Mariana Victoria, its chief patron, sponsored the new building; in August 1753 it was raised to a convent by royal decree, and in 1754 masonry work began on the chancel. The 1755 earthquake interrupted the works, which resumed the following year. The façade, inspired by Borromini, ends in a counter-curved pediment and is reached by a side staircase. The interior, with a single nave and side chapels, has a choir gallery, a painted ceiling showing Saint Michael and a chancel with carving by the Queluz school. In the chancel, on the Gospel side, stands the black marble tomb of Queen Mariana Victoria, a National Monument since 1910. The sacristy keeps ebony cabinets and a shell-work lavabo. The church serves as a parish church and opening to visitors is limited; opening times should be confirmed with the parish.

Located at: Património Cultural (SIPA)
Address: Rua Presidente Arriaga, 86, Lisboa
Opening hours: Limited opening; no visiting hours published (confirm with the parish)
Coordinates: 38.704618, -9.165041
Buses: 713, 714, 727, 67B, 728, 732, 760, 720, 738
Tram: 15E, 18E, 25E
Train: Cintura Line, Alcântara-Terra Station, Cascais Line, Alcântara-Mar Station
Opened: 1754 (272 years)