The Catholic Pilgrim's Guide to Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon offers rich Catholic heritage as the birthplace of St. Anthony of Padua and gateway to Portugal's spiritual traditions, featuring sacred sites from ancient cathedral to modern sanctuaries.

On a steep hillside in the Alfama district, just steps from the ancient cathedral where three-year-old Fernando de Bulhões received baptism in 1195, stands a church marking the very house where one of Christendom's most beloved saints drew his first breath. Today, almost eight centuries later, pilgrims from around the world descend into a simple stone crypt beneath the Church of Saint Anthony to stand on the sacred ground where the future Doctor of the Church began his remarkable journey from Portuguese nobleman to Franciscan friar, from brilliant theologian to the saint Pope Gregory IX would call the "Ark of the Testament." Lisbon spreads across seven hills above the Tagus River estuary, a city where Roman ruins lie beneath Moorish walls and medieval churches rise beside Baroque palaces. The Portuguese capital served as the launching point for the Age of Discovery, when caravels set sail for unknown shores and returned laden with spices, gold, and souls for Christ. This maritime heritage intertwines with Lisbon's Catholic identity: the magnificent Jerónimos Monastery in Belém, where Vasco da Gama prayed before his voyage to India, stands as a UNESCO World Heritage monument to an era when faith and exploration advanced together. From the Romanesque cathedral where crusaders celebrated Mass after the 1147 reconquest to the towering Cristo Rei sanctuary overlooking the city from across the river, Lisbon offers pilgrims a journey through nearly nine centuries of unbroken Catholic devotion. The Patriarchate of Lisbon encompasses more than forty parishes and countless historic churches, but for Catholic pilgrims, the city's spiritual geography centers on a compact cluster of sacred sites in the historic Alfama neighbourhood—all within walking distance of one another. Here the 12th-century cathedral preserves the relics of St. Vincent, patron of Lisbon and the diocese, while next door the Church of Saint Anthony marks the birthplace of the city's most famous son. Further west in Belém, the Jerónimos Monastery and its Church of Santa Maria offer one of Europe's finest examples of Manueline architecture. And across the Tagus, the Sanctuary of Christ the King—erected in thanksgiving for Portugal's preservation during World War II—draws pilgrims to contemplate the Sacred Heart of Jesus with arms outstretched over the capital.

📜 History & Spiritual Significance

Lisbon's Christian heritage stretches back to the earliest centuries of the faith. The city possessed a bishop as early as the 4th century, though the Moorish conquest in the 8th century would see Christians living under Islamic rule for over four hundred years. On 25 October 1147, following a four-month siege, King Afonso Henriques and an army of Portuguese soldiers and Northern European crusaders recaptured Lisbon. An English crusader named Gilbert of Hastings became the first post-reconquest bishop, and construction of the cathedral began immediately on the site of the main mosque. Within fifty years, the city that had so recently returned to Christendom would give the Church one of her greatest saints. Fernando Martins de Bulhões was born around 1195 to a noble family living in the shadow of the cathedral. At fifteen, he entered the Augustinian Canons Regular at the Abbey of Saint Vincent outside the city walls. After nine years of intense scriptural study in Coimbra, the young canon encountered Franciscan missionaries whose relics had been returned from Morocco following their martyrdom. Moved by their witness, Fernando joined the Friars Minor, took the name Anthony after the great desert father, and set out for Africa. Sickness forced his return, and a storm drove his ship to Sicily. The simple friar's extraordinary gifts remained hidden until, at an ordination ceremony in Forlì, no preacher appeared. Anthony was thrust into the pulpit—and astonished everyone present. Word of the "Hammer of Heretics" and his miraculous preaching spread rapidly. He taught theology in Bologna and Padua, served as Provincial Minister for northern Italy, and converted countless souls through sermons so powerful that shops closed when he came to town. He died at Arcella near Padua on 13 June 1231, whispering "I see my Lord" as his final words. Pope Gregory IX canonized him less than a year later, and Pope Pius XII proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church in 1946. Meanwhile, Lisbon grew to become one of Europe's great capitals. King Dinis built the Gothic cloister of the cathedral in the early 14th century, and his successor Afonso IV added the ambulatory to receive pilgrims venerating St. Vincent's relics, which had arrived in 1173 aboard a boat said to be guarded by ravens. The 16th century brought the Manueline splendour of Jerónimos Monastery, funded by taxes on the spice trade and dedicated to the Order of Saint Jerome. The Jesuits established themselves at São Roque, building what would become the first church specifically designed for preaching in the "auditorium" style that spread throughout the Portuguese world. The Great Earthquake of 1 November 1755—striking on All Saints' Day as churches overflowed with worshippers—devastated the city. Yet certain churches survived: the cathedral lost its south tower but remained standing; the Church of Saint Anthony's main chapel withstood the shocks; São Roque suffered minimal damage. From the rubble rose a rebuilt city under the direction of the Marquis of Pombal, though his expulsion of the Jesuits in 1759 marked a painful chapter. Through every trial, the faithful maintained their devotion. When Portugal emerged unscathed from World War II, the bishops fulfilled a vow made at Fátima in 1940 by erecting the Sanctuary of Christ the King, inaugurated in 1959 as a monument of thanksgiving.

☩ Pilgrimage Sites in Lisbon

Lisbon's pilgrimage sites span from the historic Alfama neighbourhood to the riverside district of Belém and across the Tagus to Almada. In Alfama, the cathedral, Church of Saint Anthony, and Church of São Roque can all be reached on foot within thirty minutes, following the iconic Tram 28 route through steep medieval streets. The Jerónimos Monastery stands approximately 6 kilometres west in Belém, easily reached by tram, bus, or train. The Sanctuary of Christ the King requires crossing the river by ferry or car.

Church of Saint Anthony of Lisbon

Local Name: Igreja de Santo António de Lisboa Address: Largo de Santo António da Sé, 1100-401 Lisboa, Portugal GPS Coordinates: 38.7100689, -9.1325722 Google Maps: View on Google Maps Website: https://www.lisbon.vip/discover-lisbon/landmarks-monuments/the-church-of-saint-anthony-of-lisbon-igreja-de-santo-antonio-de-lisboa Dedication: Saint Anthony of Lisbon (Padua) Historical Note: The site where Fernando de Bulhões was born in 1195 was converted into a small chapel shortly after his canonization in 1232. The Lisbon City Council operated from the "House of Saint Anthony" beginning in 1326, maintaining close ties to the shrine. King Manuel I ordered significant reconstruction in the early 16th century, and King João V commissioned a grand Baroque renovation in the 1730s. The 1755 earthquake destroyed most of the church, but the main chapel survived miraculously intact—an event that became central to the church's identity. Reconstruction under architect Mateus Vicente de Oliveira began in 1767, funded in part by children collecting coins in the streets. The church was completed in 1812, blending Pombaline rationalism with the surviving Baroque elements. Spiritual Importance: The crypt beneath the main altar preserves the sacred ground where Saint Anthony was born and spent his childhood before entering religious life. Pope John Paul II descended to this humble space to pray during his 1982 visit, and the tile panels added afterward commemorate that papal pilgrimage. The church houses a first-class relic of Saint Anthony—a bone from his left arm, transferred from the Church of São Roque in 1951. The main altarpiece features a miraculous wooden statue of Saint Anthony that survived the 1755 earthquake, carved from a single piece of cedar and standing at 1.70 metres—traditionally believed to match the saint's actual height. Each year on 13 June, Saint Anthony's feast day, a grand procession leaves the church and winds through the Alfama neighbourhood, part of Lisbon's beloved Popular Saints Festivities.

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Lisbon Cathedral

Local Name: Sé de Lisboa (Catedral de Santa Maria Maior) Address: Largo da Sé, 1100-585 Lisboa, Portugal GPS Coordinates: 38.7097478, -9.1326583 Google Maps: View on Google Maps Website: https://www.sedelisboa.pt/?lang=en Dedication: Saint Mary Major Historical Note: Construction began immediately following the Christian reconquest of 1147 under the direction of English crusader Gilbert of Hastings, the new bishop. The Romanesque structure rose on the site of the main mosque, itself built over an earlier Visigothic church and Roman temple. Master Roberto designed the original building with a Latin cross plan, three naves, and a tripartite apse—a fortress-like structure with twin towers flanking the entrance, reflecting the city's precarious position on the frontier of Christendom. King Dinis added the Gothic cloister between 1261 and 1325, the only one in Portugal positioned behind the main building. King Afonso IV ordered the ambulatory and radiating chapels between 1325 and 1357, transforming the cathedral into a pilgrimage church centred on the devotion to St. Vincent's relics. Spiritual Importance: The baptistery to the left of the main entrance houses the font where Saint Anthony received baptism around 1195. This sacred space, protected by a beautiful Romanesque wrought-iron grille, features 18th-century tile panels depicting scenes from Christ's life, including the Sermon of Saint Anthony to the Fish. The cathedral treasury contains the reliquary coffer holding the relics of St. Vincent of Saragossa, Lisbon's patron saint, brought to the city on 16 September 1173. According to tradition, two ravens protected the boat carrying the relics from Cape Sagres—hence the ravens appearing on Lisbon's coat of arms. The ambulatory's nine radiating Gothic chapels include the Chapel of Saint Mary Major with its unique 13th-century Romanesque iron grid, and the Chapel of Saint Bartholomew Joanes, honouring a wealthy medieval Lisboan who established a hospice for the poor.

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Jerónimos Monastery and Church of Santa Maria

Local Name: Mosteiro dos Jerónimos / Igreja de Santa Maria de Belém Address: Praça do Império, 1400-206 Lisboa, Portugal GPS Coordinates: 38.6979083, -9.2065778 Google Maps: View on Google Maps Website: https://www.patrimoniocultura.gov.pt/pt/museus-e-monumentos/dgpc/m/mosteiro-dos-jeronimos Dedication: Saint Mary of Belém / Saint Jerome Historical Note: King Manuel I began construction on 6 January 1501, building over the site of a small hermitage where Vasco da Gama and his crew had spent a night in prayer before setting sail for India in 1497. The monastery was donated to the Order of Saint Jerome and funded by a 5% tax on spices from the Portuguese India Armadas. Master architect Diogo de Boitaca designed the initial Manueline structure, followed by João de Castilho who added Plateresque and Renaissance elements, including the richly decorated south portal featuring the patron saint of Portugal, the Archangel Michael. The monastery miraculously survived the 1755 earthquake with only minor damage. Restoration work began after 1833, and UNESCO designated the complex a World Heritage Site in 1983. Spiritual Importance: The Church of Santa Maria serves as a royal pantheon, housing the tombs of King Manuel I and his wife Maria of Aragon on the left side of the chancel, and King João III and Catherine of Austria on the right, their marble coffins resting on carved elephants. The lower choir contains the 19th-century neo-Manueline tombs of Vasco da Gama and the poet Luís de Camões, whose epic "The Lusiads" celebrated da Gama's voyage. Pope Paul VI visited and celebrated Mass here in 1967. The two-storey cloister—55 metres square—ranks among the finest examples of Manueline architecture anywhere, its arches adorned with maritime motifs, exotic animals, and the armillary sphere that symbolized the Portuguese discoveries. The Hieronymite monks who resided here offered daily prayers for the royal family and provided spiritual assistance to sailors departing from Belém's shores.

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Church of São Roque

Local Name: Igreja de São Roque Address: Largo Trindade Coelho, 1200-470 Lisboa, Portugal GPS Coordinates: 38.7141833, -9.1444667 Google Maps: View on Google Maps Website: https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/igreja-de-s%C3%A3o-roque-lisboa Dedication: Saint Roch Historical Note: During the plague epidemic of 1505, King Manuel I sent to Venice for a relic of Saint Roch, patron of plague victims. A small shrine was erected outside the city walls on a site that had served as a cemetery for plague victims, and the Brotherhood of Saint Roch was established to maintain it. In 1553, the Society of Jesus took over the site and constructed Portugal's first Jesuit church, designed in the innovative "auditorium-church" style specifically for preaching—a wide single nave with raised pulpits and recessed galleries that became the template for Jesuit churches throughout Portugal and its colonies. The church survived the 1755 earthquake with minimal damage. After the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1759, the property passed to the Holy House of Mercy, which maintains it to this day. Spiritual Importance: The plain exterior conceals one of Lisbon's most sumptuously decorated interiors, with gilt woodwork, azulejo tiles, and Florentine mosaics. The Chapel of Saint John the Baptist, fourth on the left, was commissioned by King João V in 1742 and constructed in Rome under the direction of architects Nicola Salvi and Luigi Vanvitelli. Pope Benedict XIV blessed it before it was dismantled, transported on three ships, and reassembled in Lisbon—reputedly the most expensive chapel in Europe, decorated with lapis lazuli, agate, amethyst, alabaster, and precious marbles. The Reliquary Altars display the remarkable collection assembled by Don João de Borja, Castilian ambassador to the Holy Roman Emperor, who gifted relics from Rome, Hungary, Bohemia, and Cologne to the church in 1587. The adjacent Museum of São Roque houses one of the world's most important collections of Roman sacred art.

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Sanctuary of Christ the King

Local Name: Santuário Nacional de Cristo Rei Address: Av. do Cristo Rei, 2800-058 Almada, Portugal GPS Coordinates: 38.6780333, -9.1716167 Google Maps: View on Google Maps Website: https://cristorei.pt Dedication: Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ Historical Note: The monument was conceived in 1934 when Cardinal Patriarch Manuel Gonçalves Cerejeira visited Rio de Janeiro and saw the Christ the Redeemer statue. At the Portuguese Episcopate conference held at Fátima on 20 April 1940, the bishops approved construction as a plea to God for Portugal's protection during World War II and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII's consecration of the world to the Sacred Heart. Nationwide fundraising began, and construction commenced in 1949 on the highest point in Almada, 133 metres above the Tagus. Designed by architect Francisco Franco de Sousa, the 28-metre statue of Christ with outstretched arms rises atop a 75-metre reinforced concrete pedestal. On 17 May 1959, thousands gathered for the inauguration, giving thanks for Portugal's preservation during the war. Spiritual Importance: The sanctuary complex invites pilgrims on a spiritual journey, beginning with the fourteen Stations of the Cross that wind through the grounds before reaching the monument. The Chapel of Our Lady of Peace (Nossa Senhora da Paz) occupies the northern façade of the pedestal's base, a simple space for prayer beneath Christ's outstretched arms. Within the sanctuary building, additional chapels honour the devotion to the Sacred Heart, including the Chapel of the Confidants of Jesus, which houses relics of Saints Margaret Mary Alacoque, John Eudes, Faustina Kowalska, and Mary of the Divine Heart—all associated with the revelations of the Sacred Heart. The observation deck at 82 metres offers panoramic views of Lisbon, the Tagus, and the 25 de Abril Bridge, reminding pilgrims of Christ's embrace over the city.

🕯️ Annual Feast Days & Celebrations

13 June – Feast of Saint Anthony of Lisbon Church of Saint Anthony. Lisbon's municipal holiday transforms the Alfama neighbourhood into a vast celebration combining religious observance with popular festivities. A solemn procession leaves the Church of Saint Anthony and winds through the medieval streets past the cathedral, with the faithful carrying statues of the saint and participating in traditional devotions. The day also features the "Casamentos de Santo António"—mass weddings at the cathedral for couples chosen by the city council, continuing a tradition of Saint Anthony as matchmaker. 22 January – Feast of Saint Vincent of Saragossa Lisbon Cathedral. The solemn celebration of Lisbon's patron saint takes place with great solemnity at the cathedral, attended by the diocesan community and representatives of the city council. The reliquary of Saint Vincent is venerated, and the chalice and paten of Saint Vincent—kept in the Treasury—are used at the principal Mass.

🛏️ Where to Stay

4-Star Hotels

Memmo Alfama ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📍 Address: Travessa das Merceeiras 27, 1100-348 Lisboa 🌐 Website: https://www.memmohotels.com/alfama 🔗 Booking.com: memmo-alfama-design-hotel Boutique hotel in the heart of Alfama with terrace views of the Tagus, steps from the cathedral and Church of Saint Anthony. Hotel da Baixa ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📍 Address: Rua da Prata 91-93, 1100-414 Lisboa 🌐 Website: https://www.hoteldabaixa.com 🔗 Booking.com: hotel-da-baixa Elegant hotel in the reconstructed Pombaline downtown, convenient to Rossio Square and the Igreja de São Roque.

3-Star Hotels

Hotel Convento do Salvador ⭐⭐⭐ 📍 Address: Rua Salvador 2B, 1100-465 Lisboa 🌐 Website: https://www.conventodosalvador.pt 🔗 Booking.com: convento-do-salvador Charming hotel in a restored 16th-century convent in Alfama, walking distance to the cathedral and Church of Saint Anthony. Hotel Mundial ⭐⭐⭐ 📍 Address: Praça Martim Moniz 2, 1100-341 Lisboa 🌐 Website: https://www.hotel-mundial.pt 🔗 Booking.com: hotel-mundial Central location near Rossio with rooftop views of São Jorge Castle, convenient to the Igreja de São Roque and downtown churches.

🚗 Getting There

By Air: Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) lies 7 kilometres north of the city centre. The Metro red line connects the airport to central Lisbon in approximately 25 minutes, with connections at Alameda for the green line to Rossio and Baixa-Chiado. By Train: Santa Apolónia Station serves international and long-distance trains from Spain and Porto. Rossio Station connects to Sintra. Cais do Sodré Station serves the Cascais line and provides ferry connections to Cacilhas for accessing Cristo Rei. By Car: From the north, the A1 motorway connects to Lisbon via the Vasco da Gama Bridge. From the south, the A2 crosses the 25 de Abril Bridge. Parking in historic areas is extremely limited; park-and-ride facilities at metro stations offer alternatives. Within Lisbon: The historic Tram 28 winds through Alfama past the cathedral and Church of Saint Anthony—though often crowded. The Metro serves most major areas. For Belém (Jerónimos Monastery), take Tram 15E from Praça da Figueira or Praça do Comércio, or the train from Cais do Sodré. For Cristo Rei, take the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas (8 minutes), then Bus 3001 to the sanctuary.

📚 Further Reading

Articles & Online Resources:

🔗 Useful Links

🧭 Nearby Pilgrimage Destinations

Fátima – 125 km north. Site of the 1917 apparitions of Our Lady to three shepherd children. One of the world's most visited Marian shrines. Santarém – 80 km northeast. Home to the Sanctuary of the Most Holy Miracle, housing a 13th-century Eucharistic Miracle. Óbidos – 85 km north. Medieval walled town with the Church of Santa Maria containing a Renaissance altarpiece. Sintra – 30 km west. The Moorish castle and palaces include the Chapel of the Holy Trinity.

🥾 Pilgrim Routes

The Portuguese Central Way (Caminho Português Central) to Santiago de Compostela begins at Lisbon Cathedral. This historic route follows approximately 620 kilometres through Santarém, Coimbra, Porto, and into Galicia. Pilgrims traditionally receive their first credential stamp at the cathedral before setting out northward.

🪶 Closing Reflection

"Christ who is your life is hanging before you, so that you may look at the Cross as in a mirror. There you will be able to know how mortal were your wounds, that no medicine other than the Blood of the Son of God could heal. If you look closely, you will be able to realize how great your human dignity and your value are."
— Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience on Saint Anthony of Padua, 10 February 2010