Igreja São Roque
Monument & Heritage
When the earthquake hit Lisbon in 1755, this was one of the few buildings that left practically unharmed. Built in the 16th century, it was the first Jesuit church in Lisbon designed specifically for preaching, with a large auditorium-style interior perfect for great and moving sermons.
With a sober and austere facade, according to the Jesuit typology, it has a large and rich interior space composed of eight chapels, four on each side, decorated with gilded carving and marble, making the interior gorgeous.
When you enter this richly decorated church, look closely at the ceiling, the only example in Lisbon, of the famous painted ceilings of the Mannerist period. The incredibly detailed paintings deceive the look, giving the feeling of depth, and depicting a cast of cherubs and angels spinning around a golden cross.