Church of Santa Engrácia
Church of Santa Engrácia, National mausoleum in São Vicente district, Lisbon, Portugal.
The Church of Santa Engrácia is a white stone structure with an octagonal floor plan and a large dome that floods the interior with light. The building commands attention in the São Vicente skyline through its distinctive shape and scale.
Construction of the original church began in 1682 but was interrupted by numerous delays that stretched across centuries. In 1916 the building was transformed into a national resting place for important Portuguese figures.
The pantheon holds tombs of Portuguese figures whose names are engraved in stone throughout the interior. These names represent poets, explorers, and musicians who shaped Portuguese history and memory.
Access from the hill involves some stairs, but once inside the layout is straightforward to navigate. Clear signage and staff are available to direct you toward the main burial sites.
The building's prolonged construction inspired a Portuguese saying still used today to describe projects that drag on indefinitely. The phrase 'obras de Santa Engrácia' lives on in everyday conversation.
Location: São Vicente
Inception: 1682
Architects: João Antunes
Architectural style: baroque architecture
Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00
Phone: +351218854820
Email: geral@panteao.dgpc.pt
Website: http://panteaonacional.gov.pt
GPS coordinates: 38.71500,-9.12500
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:00
Lisbon connects Moorish fortifications with structures from the Age of Discoveries and contemporary architecture. The city evolved from its medieval hilltop castle through the 16th-century Manueline monasteries to modern cultural buildings along the Tagus waterfront. This route passes through neighborhoods and periods that document Lisbon's architectural development. In Belém, the Tower of Belém and the Jerónimos Monastery represent the Manueline style, which combines maritime motifs with Gothic and Renaissance elements. The Castle of São Jorge stands above Alfama, the city's oldest district with narrow streets and viewpoints such as the Miradouro de Santa Luzia. In the city center, Rossio Square marks the start of Baixa, the district rebuilt systematically after the 1755 earthquake. The collection also includes religious buildings such as the Basilica da Estrela and the Church of São Roque with its gilded chapels, the Pantheon of Santa Engrácia with its dome, and the ruins of the Convento do Carmo. More recent projects like the MAAT Museum and the Oceanário show Lisbon's approach to contemporary architecture. Historic Tram 28 connects many of these sites and runs through Chiado, Bairro Alto and Graça. Outside the city, the National Palace of Sintra and the Moorish Castle complete the picture.
28E
460 m
Pantheon of the House of Braganza
171 m
Monastery of São Vicente de Fora
243 m
Santa Clara market
85 m
Feira da Ladra
115 m
Convento da Graça
535 m
Fado Museum
487 m
Museu Militar de Lisboa
213 m
Museu do Fado
492 m
Igreja de Santo Estêvão
406 m
Pantheon of the Patriarchs of Lisbon
188 m
Convento das Mónicas
453 m
Arquivo Histórico Militar
234 m
Capela de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios
443 m
Convento do Salvador
487 m
Jardim Augusto Gil
534 m
Escolas gerais electrico 28
365 m
Palácio dos Condes de Figueira
532 m
Palácio do Salvador
511 m
Palácio Barbacena
107 m
Palácio Albergaria
413 m
Pátio dos Quintalinhos
415 m
Manueline portal of Capela de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Santa Maria Maior, Lisboa)
441 m
Office building of A Voz do Operário
376 m
Edifício da Antiga Estação Elevatória de Águas de Alfama
492 m
Vila Sousa
465 m
Mosteiro de São Salvador
476 m
Palácio dos Condes de São Martinho
281 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes