Monastery of São Vicente de Fora

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Monastery of São Vicente de Fora, Religious monastery in São Vicente district, Lisbon, Portugal.

The monastery features two towers on its white facade, multiple decorated niches with statues, and a central dome reaching toward the sky.

King Afonso Henriques founded the monastery in 1147 after reclaiming Lisbon from Moorish control, marking a pivotal moment in Portuguese history.

The structure contains over 100,000 original azulejo tiles depicting biblical scenes, daily life illustrations, and La Fontaine's fables across its corridors.

The monastery functions as a museum space where visitors can explore the church, cloisters, and royal tombs of the House of Braganza.

The building maintains its 12th-century water reservoir system, which still collects rainwater and remains operational in modern times.

Location: São Vicente

Inception: 1147

Architects: Filippo Terzi

Architectural style: Romanesque architecture, Mannerist architecture, baroque architecture

GPS coordinates: 38.71472,-9.12778

Latest update: May 27, 2025 14:03

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Discover Lisbon's monuments, historical buildings and museums designed for children. The itinerary includes castles, interactive exhibitions and architectural landmarks. Children can explore marine life at the oceanarium, learn about navigation history, ride historic trams, and enjoy large parks with playgrounds. The route combines educational visits to science museums with recreational stops at the zoo and gardens.

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