Pantheon

Architect João Antunes built this impressive edifice in the late 17th century, drawing inspiration from the St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. It came to replace the earlier Church of Santa Engrácia, dating back to the 16th century. The construction of this pantheon dragged on for so long, it spawned the Portuguese saying “a work of Saint Engracia,” used to describe any task that seems to go on forever. Indeed, it took more than 300 years to build the Church of Santa Engrácia, now the Portuguese National Pantheon. And they say that the reason for this was a mysterious curse. Legend has it that, in the 17th century, a young man was accused of stealing the martyr’s reliquary from the church, and was condemned to be burned at the stake for his crime. But in his final moments, he claimed loud and clear that the construction of the church would never be finished, and that this was as true as his innocence. And this young man was indeed innocent, since the real culprit was eventually found! So it is said that it’s because of this curse that the church took so long to build; you see, it wasn’t completed until 1966. It was the dictator Salazar who turned it into a Pantheon at the beginning of the 20th century, in a bid to break the curse! The Pantheon pays tribute to a number of figures who left their mark on Portugal’s history, such as Vasco de Gama and Luís de Camões. It also houses the tombs of several writers, a Fado singer and one of Portugal’s most famous footballers. It stands out in Lisbon’s cityscape, thanks to its striking white exterior and its dome towering over the neighborhood. It’s without doubt one of the most famous monuments in Lisbon, and you can even climb to the top for a few euros to enjoy a superb view of the surrounding area!