Sé de Lisboa Cathedral

The solid and imposing Sé de Lisboa (Se Cathedral) was constructed in an era when there was a constant threat of invasion from North African and the Se was designed to be one of the last lines of defence for Lisbon and the weak, newly established Catholic country. The Sé de Lisboa was built as a fortification primarily and a place of worship secondary. The Se cathedral has been intertwined in Portuguese history, since the dawn of the country and no visit to Lisbon is complete without visiting the cathedral of Lisbon.

The Cathedral of Sé de Lisboa, derives its name from the initials of Sedes Episcopalis (Se), translated into English meaning bishop’s seat and the cathedral has been the religious centre of Portugal since 1147. Being the cathedral of Lisbon its history has been closely tied with the fortunes of the Portuguese royal family and the prosperity of the country.

 

Two imposing fortress towers welcome visitors who pass beneath the solid stone walls when enter via an immensely thick wooden door. The vestibule of the neo-gothic styled cathedral leads into the high vaulted nave which is both dim and cool. Beside the main entrance is the font used to baptise Saint Anthony and the pews are light by the sun light flowing through the beautiful rose window. Behind the main alter leads to the cloisters of the old cathedral; the central court yard has been excavated to unearth the remains of the Moorish mosque which once stood on the site of the Se cathedral.

 

The Sé de Lisboa is on the main road from Baxia through the narrow streets of Alfama to Graca this route is followed by the tram route28. This for all keen photographers produces the shot of Lisbon the classic red tram winding its way past the imposing Se cathedral. There is no admission fee to enter the Se cathedral but a visit to the cloister costs €1.50. Religious services are held daily and to really experience a Portuguese tradition try to attend a wedding service which are held most Saturdays.

The original Cathedral of Sé de Lisboa was built in 1150 by king Afonso Henriques, on the site of a major Moors mosque. The army which drove the Moors out of Lisbon 3 years before were part of the second crusade heading to the Holy Land but assisted the Portuguese in return for a share of the captured city.

 

This period of Portuguese history was far from the Portuguese finest, the army was more a collection of drunkards and criminals who once had taken Lisbon from the Moors sacked the entire city. Some of the liberating army decided that the crusades were far too dangerous and decided to stay and assist Lisbon rebuild, the first bishop of the Se Cathedral was an English crusader called Gilbert!

 

The Se Cathedral was primary built as a place of worship but with the constant threat of invasion from the Arabs, the design required defensive fortifications. As the threat of Arab invasion diminished King Afonso IV, in the 14th century, carried out extensive reconstruction to convert. The Se Cathedral into a grand place of worship. The building works included a new imposing gallery that encircled the main chapel.

The Cathedral o Sé de Lisboa was ravaged by earthquakes, the strongest being in 1755, which caused the chapel to collapse on the congregation who were gathered for the feast of All Saints (1st November). Hundreds were crushed and the candles lit for the ceremony toppled over causing Lisbon to burn for many days after the earthquake. The cathedral was rebuilt in a neoclassical style, with the two solid towers at the front of the cathedral are a prime example of this design. The Romanesque rose-window on the second floor was reconstructed during the 20th century from fragments that were discovered within the cathedral.

 

Being Lisbon’s cathedral The Cathedral of Sé de Lisboa was used for royal weddings, coronations and as a burial site for the nobility. The patron saint of Lisbon, St. Anthony was baptised here in 1195 and the font, reputedly used, can still be found within the cathedral.