Jaap van 't Veen's photos with the keyword: Alfama

The Igreja de Santo António (Saint Anthony Church) is dedicated to Saint Anthony of Lisbon, also known as Saint Anthony of Padua, the patron saint of Portugal. The significance of this church originates from it being the location of the birthplace of Lisbon’s beloved Saint Anthony. A small underground chapel marks the location where Saint Anthony was born in 1195. Saint Anthony (or Fernando de Bulhões, as his real name was) was born in Lisbon in 1195. He was the son of a wealthy family. The site of the family house where Fernando was born, located very close to Lisbon Cathedral, was turned into a small chapel in the 15th century. This building, from which nothing remains, was rebuilt in the early 16th century, during the reign of King Manuel I. In 1730, under king João V, the church was rebuilt and redecorated. In the 1755 Lisbon earthquake the Santo António church was almost completely destroyed. It was fully rebuilt after 1767 in a Baroque-Rococo style, as it can be visited today. Igreja Santo António has a light and welcoming interior, which is adorned with statues and images of Saint Anthony’s life. The entire atmosphere is the complete contrast - and much more inviting - to the more or less sombre Sé, Lisbon’s cathedral ( www.ipernity.com/doc/294067/49372046 ), in which the Igreja de Santo António stands in the shadow of.

Alfama is located on one of the seven hills of Lisbon, between Castelo de São Jorge ( www.ipernity.com/doc/294067/49372046 ) and the Tagus river. Alfama is Lisbon's oldest neighbourhood. During the time of Moorish rule, the city consisted only of Alfama. The district became inhabited by the fishermen and the poor. Nowadays Alfama has shrugged off this grim reputation and has transformed into a fashionable and artisan district, but still retains its unique character and rich heritage. The name of the district also dates back from this period. Alfama comes from the Arabic al hamma which means “baths” or “hot fountains”. In the past there were hot springs at the foot of the hill. During the earthquake of 1755, the neighbourhood remained more or less untouched, which is why there are still many old buildings. Alfama has a romantic, picturesque appearance and is a maze of steep cobbled streets, narrow alleys, tiny squares and steep stairs. It offers also some miradouros (viewpoints) with stunning views over the houses and roofs towards the Tagus river.

The monastery of São Vicente de Fora (meaning: Monastery of St. Vincent Outside the Walls) was founded in 1147 by the first Portuguese king Dom Afonso Henriques for the Augustinian Order, as the result of a vow made to the martyr Saint Vincent in thanksgiving for the recovery of Lisbon from the Moor. He had built a simple temple and although many improvements were made during the first half of the 16th century, the building was very much decayed and in risk of ruin. King Filipe II of Spain, who had also become king of Portugal in 1580, decided that the church and monastery of São Vicente de Fora should be completely rebuilt. The works started in 1582 and the new church was consecrated in 1629. However the rest of the works went on until the 18th century. During the 1755 earthquake the buildings were severely damaged. It took almost a century before the monastery and the church were restored to their present state. The buildings are designed in an austere style, which is typical for the Portuguese architecture of the 16th century. The monastery with its two cloisters is beautifully decorated with hand-painted blue and white azulejos (tiles), showing panels based on the fables of La Fontaine.

The Sé de Lisboa (officially Igreja de Santa Maria Maior is Lisbon’s cathedral and the oldest church in the city. The Sé was built in the year of 1147, after Dom Afonso Henriques - the first king of Portugal - reconquered Lisbon from the Moors. It was located on the main mosque of Lisbon. This first building was completed between 1147 and the first decades of the 13th century in Late Romanesque style. Earthquakes have always been a problem for Lisbon and its cathedral. During the 14th and 16th centuries there were several of them, but the worst of all was the 1755 earthquake, which destroyed the Gothic main chapel along with the royal pantheon. The cloisters and many chapels were also ruined and the fire that followed. The cathedral was partially rebuilt and - in the beginning of the 20th century - was given the appearance that it has today after a profound renovation. The neoclassical decoration from outside and inside of the cathedral was removed to give the cathedral a more "mediaeval" appearance. The name Sé derives from Sedes Episcopalis , which simply means “bishop’s seat”. Nowadays this impressive and iconic religious building with its massive solid walls and two imposing clock towers is one of the most significant touristy sights of Lisbon. During our visit there were renovations of the ancient cloisters, so we couldn’t visit. PiP4 was taken from our apartment, which was located just next to the Sé .