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Praça do Comércio, Lisbon - Visitor’s Guide

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Tourist guide to Praça do Comércio, square on the waterfront in downtown Lisbon, Portugal

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QRCode Monkey - The free QR Code Generator to create custom QR Codes with Logo

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Create custom QR Codes with Logo, Color and Design for free. This QR Code Maker offers free vector formats for best print quality.

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Sé Catedral de Lisboa | www.visitportugal.com

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Dedicated to the Mother of God since 1147.Dedicated to the Mother of God, Lisbon Cathedral is one of the city’s gems and one of the most significant monuments in the country, due to its historical, religious and artistic value. Its construction began in 1147, when the first king of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques, reconquered the city from the Moors. It was built on a Muslim

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The Monument

Created by Cottinelli Telmo (1897-1948) and the sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida (1898-1975), Padrão dos Descobrimentos was first erected in 1940, in a temporary form, as part of the Portuguese World Exhibition, built with perishable materials. It had a light iron and cement frame, while the moulded sculpture had a light iron and cement frame, while the moulded sculpture was made of gypsum (formed of plaster and burlap, and reinforced by a wooden and iron structure).
The monument was reconstructed in 1960 to mark 500 years since the death of the Infante Dom Henrique (Henry the Navigator). This time it was made of concrete and rose-tinted Leiria stone masonry, with the sculptures made of Sintra limestone masonry.
The Centro Cultural das Descobertas was opened in 1985. Architect Fernando Ramalho remodelled the interior, giving the monument a viewpoint, auditorium and exhibition hall.

A stylised caravel seems to be setting out to sea, with Henry the Navigator in its prow. On the two lateral ramps ascending to the symbolic figure of the Prince are some of the significant characters of the Portuguese overseas expansion and cultural names from the age of the Discoveries, 32 in total, all portrayed with symbols that allude to their identity: navigators, cartographers, warriors, colonisers, missionaries, chroniclers and artists.

Composed of a vertical element consisting of a stylised mast oriented North-South, with two Portuguese coats of arms on each side with its five small shields, surrounded by a band with 12 castles and stylised fleurs-de-lis in the centre.

On each side are three triangular structures, each with one curved side, giving the illusion of sails blown out by the wind.

The north side is formed by two giant stones which bear inscriptions in metallic letters. On the left side, the inscription above an anchor reads 'TO THE INFANTE DOM HENRIQUE AND THE PORTUGUESE WHO DISCOVERED THE SEA ROUTES'. On the other side, the inscription above a laurel wreath reads, 'ON THE V CENTENARY OF THE INFANTE DOM HENRIQUE 1460-1960′.

In the middle of the monument, a flight of nine steps gives access to a platform with a view over the entire surrounding area.

The second flight of five stairs and a portal with a round arch formed by vaulted stones lead through to the interior of the monument.

The monument is flanked by two metal armillary spheres on two parallelepiped platforms.

Dimensions and features:

Height - 56m; Width - 20m; Length - 46m; Foundations - 20m

Central figure (Infante) - 9m; Figures on the sides (32) - 7m
Flyer about the Monument to the Discoveries
1940 The Portuguese World Exhibition

The decision to build the Portuguese World Exhibition in Belém made the most of the symbolic relationship between Portugal and the River Tagus, and more specifically the place from where boats embarked on exploring unknown seas and lands from the 14th century onwards. The Jerónimos Monastery forms the backdrop, extending the exhibition space from the Praça Afonso de Albuquerque to the Torre de Belém.

The exhibition was arranged around the Praça do Império, a space joining together the pavilions and special sections.

Forming a quadrangle with the 'Monumental Fountain' at its centre, the square was bounded by the main exhibition pavilions; the Pavilion of the Portuguese in the World, designed by Cottinelli Telmo, on the western side, and the Pavilion of Honour and Lisbon, designed by Cristino da Silva, on the eastern side. These pavilions were perpendicular to the river yet separated from it by the Avenida da Índia and the railway line. At the southern end of the square was the 'Water Mirror' by António Lino and the 'Monument to the Discoveries', also designed by Cottinelli Telmo in collaboration with Leopoldo de Almeida, situated alongside the Belém docks and in line with the square. Another symbolic element was the 'Portuguese Ship', a vessel created as a faithful replica of a Portuguese galleon from the 17th to 18th centuries.

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Monument to the Discoveries | Monument to the Discoveries

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O Padrão dos Descobrimentos tem por missão a gestão, salvaguarda e valorização do conjunto patrimonial: monumento e Rosa-dos-ventos. Incentiva a discussão em torno da temática do monumento enquanto testemunho da memória de uma identidade cultural e patrimonial indissociável da História da Expansão Portuguesa e da sua presença no Mundo.

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The Jerónimos Monastery, also called Hieronymites Monastery, is along with the Tower of Belém, one of the most visited sites in Lisbon. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1983. This landmark is called Mosteiro dos Jerónimos in Portuguese.

The religious building was designed by the Portuguese architect Diogo de Boitaca to commemorate the return of Vasco da Gama from India. The construction began on 6 January 1501 and wasn't completed until the seventeenth century. The building is predominantly Manueline style (Portuguese late Gothic).

Curiously, the monastery was built on the site of the former Ermida do Restelo, the chapel where Vasco da Gama and the rest of the sailors prayed before setting sail down the African coast to India.

The Church

The Church of Santa Maria is unique in the world. It is completely different from the rest. The temple has a single nave that is held up by six beautifully sculpted columns and the church seems to go on forever.

The Church houses the tombs of Vasco da Gama and Luís de Camões, a Portuguese poet and writer.

Cloister

The Jerónimos Monastery's two-story cloister is even more beautiful than Lisbon Cathedral's nunnery. It is much larger and its decorative ornamentation and symbolism are breath-taking.

When you explore the cloister, you'll see the church of Santa Maria from above and the tomb of Fernando Pessoa, a renowned Portuguese writer and poet. One of the cloister's halls is dedicated to the history of the Monastery, which is compared to the country and the rest of the world's evolution.

Nearby landmarks

After visiting the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, we recommend heading to the Archaeology Museum, which is located in the building adjacent to the monastery. Moreover, Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries are also close by. These two monuments and the Jerónimos Monastery represent Portugal's most prosperous period and are definitely worth visiting.

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Jerónimos Monastery - Hours, tickets, how to get there

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The Jerónimos Monastery (Hieronymites Monastery) is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Lisbon. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983.

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History of the National Shrine of Christ the King

1.The inspiration is born in Brazil

The idea to build the Monument to Christ-King comes up in 1934, when the late Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, His Eminence Manuel Gonçalves Cerejeira, is visiting Brazil. Traveling through Rio de Janeiro, he comes upon the impressing site of the Statue of Christ the Redeemer in Corcovado and immediately is born in his heart the desire to build something similar in front of Lisbon. So, in 1936, the idea to build the Monument to Christ-King was made known to the Apostolate of Prayer, which welcomed it with enthusiasm. In order to be National, the Monument needed the approval and cooperation of all the Portuguese Bishops, which is finally obtained and officially divulged in the Bishops' Joint Pastoral Letter for Lent of 1937.

1.2. Sociopolitical Context

The social and economic conditions facing the western countries after World War I (1914-1918) called for the reconstruction of the different economies, which led to financial crises as well as crises of superproduction. The fall in value of the stocks in the New York Exchange caused a deep economic recession in 1929 - which lasted throughout the 30's - and provoked social unrest, massive unemployment and consequent poverty.

All these conditions raised serious problems to the governments of the liberal democracy, the victors of World War I, whose policies were followed by most western countries. This, together with the incapacity shown to resolve the pending crisis, led to a growing wave of dissatisfaction amongst the populations and the consequent growth of opposition forces, mainly the radical leftist movements, modeled on the growing Marxist-Leninist Socialist Movement in Russia, and the right-wing movements in Italyand Germany, the two nations most penalized by the war. In Germany, unemployment reached 43%, but, after Hitler came to power in 1933, a new policy of rearmament - which would later lead to World War II - created employment and won the German people over to this new politician who would later be responsible for millions of deaths. Also in the Soviet Union there would occur numerous massacres, namely the extermination of well-to-do farmers, the so-called Kulaks.

In Portugal, the social conditions weren't much better and the conflicts provoked by the I Republic set out a conservative reaction, which culminated with the coup of May 28, 1926, led by the Army and supported mostly by moderate Republicans, Monarchists and Catholics of different factions. The discontent was generalized and was even growing amongst the Portuguese middle class, which had been the mainstay of the Republic. Strikes were rampant and this situation was only overcome with the victory of General Óscar Carmona in the presidential elections of 1928 and with the appointment of António Oliveira Salazar to Finance Minister. Salazar was able to balance the national budget, which won for him great prestige. Later on, in 1932, Salazar is named Prime Minister and in 1933 a new Constitution is promulgated, giving birth to O Estado Novo (The New State), a political regime under the personal government of Salazar until 1968. The national political system turned then into a corporate regime, coming to be authoritarian, nationalist and colonialist.

Neighboring Spain was going through a bloody Civil War, which began in 1936, and was also threatened by the danger of the expansion of Atheistic Communism into the so-called countries of Christian tradition, something Our Lady have already predicted at Fatima, when she said that Russia would spread her errors throughout the world (see box).

Prophecy of Our Lady of Fatima

Our Lady appeared to Three Little Shepherds, in Fatima, on July 13, 1917, Her third apparition at Cova da Iria. It was in this apparition that She revealed the so-called Secret of Fatima to Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta.

Later, in 1937, questioned by the Bishop, Lucia would reveal the content of the secret to him. Our Lady said that it was essential to make sacrifices for the conversion of sinners and, amongst other prophecies, added that Russia would spread her errors throughout the world, would foment wars and persecutions against the Church. This would soon come to pass in this Eastern European country, as well as in Mexico, where the Church would be ferociously persecuted by the country's government.

The Church experiences the beginning of Catholic Action, for there was a need to proclaim the social reign of Christ against the prepotency of the atheistic world. Christian nations should recognize Christ's Kingship, getting their inspiration for legislating in God's Law.

Facing this sociopolitical context of the 30's, the Portuguese Bishops named three reasons for the construction of the Monument to Christ-King:

1 - The obligation and need for social atonement for the universal conspiracy against Christ.

2 - A great national obligation to show gratitude for being spared from the war. Unlike other countries, Portugal, due to a singular act of Divine Providence, was living in peace and progressing spiritually. Thus the Monument would be a profound and heartfelt act of thanksgiving to Christ.

3 - The need for national restoration.

World War II begins in 1939. It was during this period that the idea of building the Monument to Christ-King took shape and showed purpose.

On April 20, 1940, the Portuguese Bishops, gathered in Fatima for their annual retreat, made the following vow: "If Portugal is spared from the War, a Monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus will be erected facing Lisbon, as a visible sign of how God, through Love, desires to conquer for Himself all mankind".

Portugal stayed neutral throughout World War II, not having direct participation in war actions, fact which was decisive for the launching of a fundraising national campaign to make the construction of the Monument a reality. However, due to the war, the campaign dragged. Even so, despite the difficulties, in 1941 the land for the construction of the Monument was acquired.

On January 18, 1946, almost one year after the end of World War II, the Portuguese Bishops, in a Joint Pastoral Letter, besides mentioning the 3rd Centennial of the Crowning of the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception as Patroness of Portugal, officially declared to have promised to erect the Monument to Christ-King. From then on, the fundraising campaign acquired new vigor.

We ought to also mention the participation of Portuguese children from throughout the whole country in the fundraising campaign for the construction of the Monument, campaign which was called Tiny Pabbles and went on from 1939 to 1958.

The guiding principle of this campaign was, above all, the value of the sacrifice of children and the efficacy of their prayers.

Throughout the year children would give something up and then would turn that sacrifice into money which would be deposited into a piggybank, which later on would be placed in the Presépio (Nativity Scene) in their Parishes, on Holy Innocents Day (December 28).

It is important to mention that this campaign brought in about $7,500 Euros.

Throughout the history of the devotion to Christ and specially to His Most Sacred Heart, so full of greatness and faith, there is something worth mentioning which explains why the date chosen for placing the first stone of the Monument was picked.

Sister Maria do Divino Coração lived in Porto, the City of the Virgin, by the way. She had a lot to do with the consecration of all Mankind to the Heart of Jesus by Pope Leo XIII. The 50th anniversary of that wonderful religious event was being commemorated in 1949 and that was the reason why Cardinal Cerejeira chose that year. So, on December 18, 1949, the First Stone of the Monument is solemnly placed in the ground. Two years later the foundation work begins. Finally, in 1952, the firm Obras Públicas e Cimento Armado (OPCA) begins putting in the foundation. The work was done by means of a special system of sheathing, that is, the so-called traveling forms, in which the scaffold and the structure were the same thing in which the concrete was being poured. The pedestal of the Statue of Christ-King was thus growing layer upon layer.

The Statue was built in place; for that, gypsum forms, previously made after the model, were used.

About 40 thousand tons of concrete were used. After being built, the monument was sculpted by hand, a work of detail being done at more than 100 meters from the ground.

It is worth noting that no man lost his life during the construction of this imposing monument.

The Monument was inaugurated on May 17, 1959 (Pentecost Sunday) before a statue of Our Lady of Fatima and in the presence of all the Portuguese Bishops, the Cardinals of Rio de Janeiro and of Lourenço Marques (now Maputo), several civil authorities and about 300,000 people. His Holiness Pope John XXIII made himself present through a Radio message. At that time, Cardinal Cerejeira made an eloquent statement: "This will always be a sign of national gratitude for the gift of Peace".

It is worth mentioning that the statue of Christ-King was conceived by Master Francisco Franco; that of Our Lady of Peace, found in the Monument's Chapel, was authored by Master Leopoldo de Almeida; the architectonic project itself belongs to Architect António Lino and Engineer Dom Francisco de Mello e Castro.

The Monument to Christ-King is a divine beacon, a message of love, a grandiose profession of Faith!

Monsignor Moreira das Neves thus wrote:

1.3. Most Recent Changes in the Shrine

In 1984, during the celebrations of the 25th Anniversary of the Shrine of Christ-King, there was approved a General Plan for the grounds of the Shrine, authored by architects Luiz Cunha and Domingos Ávila Gomes. As part of that project, the Shrine's All-Purpose Building was built; in it there are the Rectory and the Administration Office, a Chapel, Meeting Rooms and Exhibition Galleries.

In June 1999 the Shrine came under the authority of the Diocese of Setúbal. Immediate priority was given to the restoration of the Monument. Work was begun in May 2001, under the technical supervision and support of the School of Sciences and Technology of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa (Lisbon's New University). The Monument reopened solemnly on February 1, 2001. Due to its national character and to confirm it, The Bishops Conference of Portugal determined that the Offertories of all Masses in the Country on November 23, 2003, would revert to help pay the restoration's expenses.

In June 2004 there was inaugurated a dining room with capacity for 150 people and two dormitories for youths with capacity for eleven girls and 10 boys. On May 17, 2005, there was inaugurated the Polyvalent Hall John Paul II, consisting of a dining room for 150 people and a meeting hall for 80.

On the same day, there started to operate the Space for Youth, consisting of two dormitories with capacity, one for 22 and the other for 30 people, a dining room for 55 and a kitchen.

All these spaces and equipment were acquired to better take care of the pilgrims who visit us in organized groups, mainly for Retreats and Recollection.

In 2006 began the improvement work done to the Monument to Christ-King. On May 17 of that year, there was inaugurated the work done to the Chapel of Our Lady of Peace, which saw the collaboration of Architect João de Sousa Araújo.

May 17, 2007, saw the inauguration of Blessed John XXIII Hall, which contains eight oil paintings allusive to the Encyclical Pax in Terris by that Pope and a statue of the Angel of Portugal, all of these authored by the above-mentioned architect.

On this same day, there was placed in front of the Monument the old Tall Cross of the Shrine of Fatima, donated to the Shrine of Christ-King. Months later, on November 25, 2007, there was the turn for the inauguration of the newly remodeled Main Sacristy of the Monument's Chapel, including the restoration of the original model of the statue of Christ-King by Sculptor Francisco Franco.

May 17, 2008, saw this time the inauguration of the Chapel of the Confidants of the Heart of Jesus, which contains the relics of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, St. John Eudes, Blessed Maria do Divino Coração and St. Faustina Kowalska. On that same day there were inaugurated the Ten Commandments in bronze, which were placed on the main face of the Monument.

On Christ-King Sunday of that same year, we saw the inauguration of a Via Crucis placed in the Chapel of the Monument, which makes every station of Christ's Passion correspond to a situation in today's world.

January 6, 2009 saw the inauguration, in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, of two paintings allusive to the revelations Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque and of another one placed above the Tabernacle.

1.4. History of the change of Authority in the Shrine

The Shrine of Christ-King is, without a doubt, a historic reference for the spirituality of the first half of the XX Century in Portugal, and alsoan important reference for the history of the same century in the Patriarchate of Lisbon.

When in 1975 Pope Paul VI created the Diocese of Setúbal by the Bull Studentes Nos of July 16 of that year, the Monument to Christ-King and the Seminary of Almada stayed in the Patriarchate of Lisbon.

But we must mention that this decision was not pacific. The Minutes of the meeting of the Portuguese Bishops, in which this matter was decided, show that, from the twenty Bishops present, only ten voted in favor of the maintenance of the Monument under the authority of the Diocese of Lisbon, while nine voted against it and one abstained. Perhaps alluding to this situation, the Most Rev. Manuel Falcão, presently Bishop Emeritus of Beja and at the time Secretary of the Bishops Conference, wrote this comment at the end of the minutes: "the Bishops were already very tired when the issue came to a vote".

With the passing of years, both the Patriarchate of Lisbon and the Diocese of Setúbal came to think that, from an ecclesial point of view, it was important that the Monument to Christ-King and the Seminary of Almada came under the jurisdiction of Setúbal, since the Tagus River is a natural border and, therefore, it made no sense that Lisbon possessed a little administrative territory in Almada. In view of this and with the assent of the Holy See, the first Bishop of Setúbal, Most Rev. Manuel da Silva Martins, before resigning, left to his successor the whole beaurocratic process finished and asked former Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, His Eminence António Ribeiro, for the transfer of the mentioned Seminary and of the Shrine of Christ-King to the authority of the Diocese of Setúbal, which was naturally eventually accomplished.

However it was not done by these two Bishops, because, in the meantime, Bishop Manuel Martins ceased functions and Cardinal António Ribeiro died. The official handover was, therefore, done on July 21, 1999, by the present Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, His Eminence José da Cruz Policarpo to Most Rev. Gilberto Canavarro dos Reis, second Bishop of Setúbal.

Fr. Jaime Silva, until then Pastor of the Parish of Almada, was then named first Rector of the Shrine under the authority of the Diocese of Setúbal, thus succeeding Canon Manuel Pires de Campos, last Rector of the Shrine under the authority of the patriarchate of Lisbon.

Note: However it is not known whether, due to the almost 50/50 vote of the Bishops, the Holy See - when creating the Diocese of Setúbal - left expressed in the above-mentioned Bull that the situation be maintained until the Bishops decided otherwise, which opened the door for the present situation.

1.The inspiration is born in Brazil

The idea to build the Monument to Christ-King comes up in 1934, when the late Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, His Eminence Manuel Gonçalves Cerejeira, is visiting Brazil. Traveling through Rio de Janeiro, he comes upon the impressing site of the Statue of Christ the Redeemer in Corcovado and immediately is born in his heart the desire to build something similar in front of Lisbon. So, in 1936, the idea to build the Monument to Christ-King was made known to the Apostolate of Prayer, which welcomed it with enthusiasm. In order to be National, the Monument needed the approval and cooperation of all the Portuguese Bishops, which is finally obtained and officially divulged in the Bishops' Joint Pastoral Letter for Lent of 1937.

1.2. Sociopolitical Context

The social and economic conditions facing the western countries after World War I (1914-1918) called for the reconstruction of the different economies, which led to financial crises as well as crises of superproduction. The fall in value of the stocks in the New York Exchange caused a deep economic recession in 1929 - which lasted throughout the 30's - and provoked social unrest, massive unemployment and consequent poverty.

All these conditions raised serious problems to the governments of the liberal democracy, the victors of World War I, whose policies were followed by most western countries. This, together with the incapacity shown to resolve the pending crisis, led to a growing wave of dissatisfaction amongst the populations and the consequent growth of opposition forces, mainly the radical leftist movements, modeled on the growing Marxist-Leninist Socialist Movement in Russia, and the right-wing movements in Italyand Germany, the two nations most penalized by the war. In Germany, unemployment reached 43%, but, after Hitler came to power in 1933, a new policy of rearmament - which would later lead to World War II - created employment and won the German people over to this new politician who would later be responsible for millions of deaths. Also in the Soviet Union there would occur numerous massacres, namely the extermination of well-to-do farmers, the so-called Kulaks.

In Portugal, the social conditions weren't much better and the conflicts provoked by the I Republic set out a conservative reaction, which culminated with the coup of May 28, 1926, led by the Army and supported mostly by moderate Republicans, Monarchists and Catholics of different factions. The discontent was generalized and was even growing amongst the Portuguese middle class, which had been the mainstay of the Republic. Strikes were rampant and this situation was only overcome with the victory of General Óscar Carmona in the presidential elections of 1928 and with the appointment of António Oliveira Salazar to Finance Minister. Salazar was able to balance the national budget, which won for him great prestige. Later on, in 1932, Salazar is named Prime Minister and in 1933 a new Constitution is promulgated, giving birth to O Estado Novo (The New State), a political regime under the personal government of Salazar until 1968. The national political system turned then into a corporate regime, coming to be authoritarian, nationalist and colonialist.

Neighboring Spain was going through a bloody Civil War, which began in 1936, and was also threatened by the danger of the expansion of Atheistic Communism into the so-called countries of Christian tradition, something Our Lady have already predicted at Fatima, when she said that Russia would spread her errors throughout the world (see box).

Prophecy of Our Lady of Fatima

Our Lady appeared to Three Little Shepherds, in Fatima, on July 13, 1917, Her third apparition at Cova da Iria. It was in this apparition that She revealed the so-called Secret of Fatima to Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta.

Later, in 1937, questioned by the Bishop, Lucia would reveal the content of the secret to him. Our Lady said that it was essential to make sacrifices for the conversion of sinners and, amongst other prophecies, added that Russia would spread her errors throughout the world, would foment wars and persecutions against the Church. This would soon come to pass in this Eastern European country, as well as in Mexico, where the Church would be ferociously persecuted by the country's government.

The Church experiences the beginning of Catholic Action, for there was a need to proclaim the social reign of Christ against the prepotency of the atheistic world. Christian nations should recognize Christ's Kingship, getting their inspiration for legislating in God's Law.

Facing this sociopolitical context of the 30's, the Portuguese Bishops named three reasons for the construction of the Monument to Christ-King:

1 - The obligation and need for social atonement for the universal conspiracy against Christ.

2 - A great national obligation to show gratitude for being spared from the war. Unlike other countries, Portugal, due to a singular act of Divine Providence, was living in peace and progressing spiritually. Thus the Monument would be a profound and heartfelt act of thanksgiving to Christ.

3 - The need for national restoration.

World War II begins in 1939. It was during this period that the idea of building the Monument to Christ-King took shape and showed purpose.

On April 20, 1940, the Portuguese Bishops, gathered in Fatima for their annual retreat, made the following vow: "If Portugal is spared from the War, a Monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus will be erected facing Lisbon, as a visible sign of how God, through Love, desires to conquer for Himself all mankind".

Portugal stayed neutral throughout World War II, not having direct participation in war actions, fact which was decisive for the launching of a fundraising national campaign to make the construction of the Monument a reality. However, due to the war, the campaign dragged. Even so, despite the difficulties, in 1941 the land for the construction of the Monument was acquired.

On January 18, 1946, almost one year after the end of World War II, the Portuguese Bishops, in a Joint Pastoral Letter, besides mentioning the 3rd Centennial of the Crowning of the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception as Patroness of Portugal, officially declared to have promised to erect the Monument to Christ-King. From then on, the fundraising campaign acquired new vigor.

We ought to also mention the participation of Portuguese children from throughout the whole country in the fundraising campaign for the construction of the Monument, campaign which was called Tiny Pabbles and went on from 1939 to 1958.

The guiding principle of this campaign was, above all, the value of the sacrifice of children and the efficacy of their prayers.

Throughout the year children would give something up and then would turn that sacrifice into money which would be deposited into a piggybank, which later on would be placed in the Presépio (Nativity Scene) in their Parishes, on Holy Innocents Day (December 28).

It is important to mention that this campaign brought in about $7,500 Euros.

Throughout the history of the devotion to Christ and specially to His Most Sacred Heart, so full of greatness and faith, there is something worth mentioning which explains why the date chosen for placing the first stone of the Monument was picked.

Sister Maria do Divino Coração lived in Porto, the City of the Virgin, by the way. She had a lot to do with the consecration of all Mankind to the Heart of Jesus by Pope Leo XIII. The 50th anniversary of that wonderful religious event was being commemorated in 1949 and that was the reason why Cardinal Cerejeira chose that year. So, on December 18, 1949, the First Stone of the Monument is solemnly placed in the ground. Two years later the foundation work begins. Finally, in 1952, the firm Obras Públicas e Cimento Armado (OPCA) begins putting in the foundation. The work was done by means of a special system of sheathing, that is, the so-called traveling forms, in which the scaffold and the structure were the same thing in which the concrete was being poured. The pedestal of the Statue of Christ-King was thus growing layer upon layer.

The Statue was built in place; for that, gypsum forms, previously made after the model, were used.

About 40 thousand tons of concrete were used. After being built, the monument was sculpted by hand, a work of detail being done at more than 100 meters from the ground.

It is worth noting that no man lost his life during the construction of this imposing monument.

The Monument was inaugurated on May 17, 1959 (Pentecost Sunday) before a statue of Our Lady of Fatima and in the presence of all the Portuguese Bishops, the Cardinals of Rio de Janeiro and of Lourenço Marques (now Maputo), several civil authorities and about 300,000 people. His Holiness Pope John XXIII made himself present through a Radio message. At that time, Cardinal Cerejeira made an eloquent statement: "This will always be a sign of national gratitude for the gift of Peace".

It is worth mentioning that the statue of Christ-King was conceived by Master Francisco Franco; that of Our Lady of Peace, found in the Monument's Chapel, was authored by Master Leopoldo de Almeida; the architectonic project itself belongs to Architect António Lino and Engineer Dom Francisco de Mello e Castro.

The Monument to Christ-King is a divine beacon, a message of love, a grandiose profession of Faith!

Monsignor Moreira das Neves thus wrote:

1.3. Most Recent Changes in the Shrine

In 1984, during the celebrations of the 25th Anniversary of the Shrine of Christ-King, there was approved a General Plan for the grounds of the Shrine, authored by architects Luiz Cunha and Domingos Ávila Gomes. As part of that project, the Shrine's All-Purpose Building was built; in it there are the Rectory and the Administration Office, a Chapel, Meeting Rooms and Exhibition Galleries.

In June 1999 the Shrine came under the authority of the Diocese of Setúbal. Immediate priority was given to the restoration of the Monument. Work was begun in May 2001, under the technical supervision and support of the School of Sciences and Technology of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa (Lisbon's New University). The Monument reopened solemnly on February 1, 2001. Due to its national character and to confirm it, The Bishops Conference of Portugal determined that the Offertories of all Masses in the Country on November 23, 2003, would revert to help pay the restoration's expenses.

In June 2004 there was inaugurated a dining room with capacity for 150 people and two dormitories for youths with capacity for eleven girls and 10 boys. On May 17, 2005, there was inaugurated the Polyvalent Hall John Paul II, consisting of a dining room for 150 people and a meeting hall for 80.

On the same day, there started to operate the Space for Youth, consisting of two dormitories with capacity, one for 22 and the other for 30 people, a dining room for 55 and a kitchen.

All these spaces and equipment were acquired to better take care of the pilgrims who visit us in organized groups, mainly for Retreats and Recollection.

In 2006 began the improvement work done to the Monument to Christ-King. On May 17 of that year, there was inaugurated the work done to the Chapel of Our Lady of Peace, which saw the collaboration of Architect João de Sousa Araújo.

May 17, 2007, saw the inauguration of Blessed John XXIII Hall, which contains eight oil paintings allusive to the Encyclical Pax in Terris by that Pope and a statue of the Angel of Portugal, all of these authored by the above-mentioned architect.

On this same day, there was placed in front of the Monument the old Tall Cross of the Shrine of Fatima, donated to the Shrine of Christ-King. Months later, on November 25, 2007, there was the turn for the inauguration of the newly remodeled Main Sacristy of the Monument's Chapel, including the restoration of the original model of the statue of Christ-King by Sculptor Francisco Franco.

May 17, 2008, saw this time the inauguration of the Chapel of the Confidants of the Heart of Jesus, which contains the relics of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, St. John Eudes, Blessed Maria do Divino Coração and St. Faustina Kowalska. On that same day there were inaugurated the Ten Commandments in bronze, which were placed on the main face of the Monument.

On Christ-King Sunday of that same year, we saw the inauguration of a Via Crucis placed in the Chapel of the Monument, which makes every station of Christ's Passion correspond to a situation in today's world.

January 6, 2009 saw the inauguration, in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, of two paintings allusive to the revelations Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque and of another one placed above the Tabernacle.

1.4. History of the change of Authority in the Shrine

The Shrine of Christ-King is, without a doubt, a historic reference for the spirituality of the first half of the XX Century in Portugal, and alsoan important reference for the history of the same century in the Patriarchate of Lisbon.

When in 1975 Pope Paul VI created the Diocese of Setúbal by the Bull Studentes Nos of July 16 of that year, the Monument to Christ-King and the Seminary of Almada stayed in the Patriarchate of Lisbon.

But we must mention that this decision was not pacific. The Minutes of the meeting of the Portuguese Bishops, in which this matter was decided, show that, from the twenty Bishops present, only ten voted in favor of the maintenance of the Monument under the authority of the Diocese of Lisbon, while nine voted against it and one abstained. Perhaps alluding to this situation, the Most Rev. Manuel Falcão, presently Bishop Emeritus of Beja and at the time Secretary of the Bishops Conference, wrote this comment at the end of the minutes: "the Bishops were already very tired when the issue came to a vote".

With the passing of years, both the Patriarchate of Lisbon and the Diocese of Setúbal came to think that, from an ecclesial point of view, it was important that the Monument to Christ-King and the Seminary of Almada came under the jurisdiction of Setúbal, since the Tagus River is a natural border and, therefore, it made no sense that Lisbon possessed a little administrative territory in Almada. In view of this and with the assent of the Holy See, the first Bishop of Setúbal, Most Rev. Manuel da Silva Martins, before resigning, left to his successor the whole beaurocratic process finished and asked former Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, His Eminence António Ribeiro, for the transfer of the mentioned Seminary and of the Shrine of Christ-King to the authority of the Diocese of Setúbal, which was naturally eventually accomplished.

However it was not done by these two Bishops, because, in the meantime, Bishop Manuel Martins ceased functions and Cardinal António Ribeiro died. The official handover was, therefore, done on July 21, 1999, by the present Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, His Eminence José da Cruz Policarpo to Most Rev. Gilberto Canavarro dos Reis, second Bishop of Setúbal.

Fr. Jaime Silva, until then Pastor of the Parish of Almada, was then named first Rector of the Shrine under the authority of the Diocese of Setúbal, thus succeeding Canon Manuel Pires de Campos, last Rector of the Shrine under the authority of the patriarchate of Lisbon.

Note: However it is not known whether, due to the almost 50/50 vote of the Bishops, the Holy See - when creating the Diocese of Setúbal - left expressed in the above-mentioned Bull that the situation be maintained until the Bishops decided otherwise, which opened the door for the present situation.

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History of the National Shrine of Christ the King The idea to build the Monument to Christ-King comes up in 1934, when the late Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, His Eminence Manuel Gonçalves Cerejeira, is visiting Brazil.

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Situated at the top of a hill, the Castelo de São Jorge is part of a complex defensive system which was gradually transformed over time.

Despite the material evidence uncovered during archaeological excavations, little is known of the Iron Age settlement and the Roman period they belong to.

During the Islamic occupation, the city was defended by lines of walls which were positioned on the south side of the hill towards the river. The layout of these walls coincided roughly with the walls of the Roman city of Olisipo (Lisbon), Within these walls was the medina or city and a line of walls encircling the hilltop where the citadel (kasbah) was located, with its the great residential centre of religious, political, military administrative and social power. kasbah) was located, with its the great residential centre of religious, political, military administrative and social power.

It was here that the medieval castle we know today was erected in the period following the reconquest of Lisbon.

We do not know, however, what the fortification and citadel would have looked like during the period of Islamic rule or at the time of the first Christian kings.

The appearance of the castle as it looks today (bearing characteristics attributable to "the gothic castle") is the result of changes occurring during the reign of King Afonso III (1248-1279) and/or King Denis (1279-1325): a walled quadrangular perimeter, fortified by 11 towers and divided into two places-of-arms; wide wall-walks; the keep (which has not survived, but which was probably over the gateway and attached to the wall); the barbican (a lower advanced wall built thicker at its base) in the eastern and southern areas, which was intended to defend the fortress's most vulnerable points; and a moat and Albarrana towers.

Where the western wall and the southern wall meet, there is a section of wall that goes down the slope, at the top of which stands the Torre de São Lourenço (St. Lawrence's Tower), associated with a city gate that has now disappeared.

This section of wall, as well as the one that delimits the northern part of the Praça Nova (New Square), are part of later modifications (dating from 1373) instigated by King Ferdinand for the defence of the city. The objective of this largescale project was to provide the city of Lisbon (which had expanded to the west and north) with a new and wider ring of walls to protect it. This fence, in memory of the monarch who built it, is now known as the Fernandine Wall (Cerca Fernandina).

Gateways

The castle has three gateways along its walled perimeter, which provide access to the interior of the castle. Other gateways, located inside the fortification, allow access to the first and second places-of arms inside the castle.

The Towers

The castle, with its quadrangular layout, features 10 turrets attached to the exterior wall and a tower in the middle of the interior wall which separates the two pátios de armas and which fortifies the circulation gateway on its south side.

The south face contains larger towers, while the west face has smaller turrets. The north side has towers with large staggered basements and compartments that suggest that they were originally topped by roofs. The east side features large towers at the corners and on top of the wall.

The Barbican and Moat

The barbican, located in the south and east of the Castle, was likely built in the 13th century.

Barbicans, of Almohad origin, were introduced into the Iberian Peninsula around that time and were lower walls built in the most vulnerable areas of fortifications, such as gateways or areas where the topography did not offer a natural defence.

The Castelo de S. Jorge barbican, thicker at the base and featuring a moat, was positioned next to the two main access gateways in order to provide a first obstacle to would-be invaders.

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Situated at the top of a hill, the Castelo de São Jorge is part of a complex defensive system which was gradually transformed over time. Despite the material evidence uncovered during archaeological excavations, little is known of the Iron Age settlement and the Roman period they belong to.

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Built in the 16th century, the Belem Tower was built to defend Lisbon from enemy ships. Around 1515, architect Francisco de Arruda designed the iconic monument and it served the purpose of being a fort that protected Lisbon from incoming raids along the Tagus River. It also marked the beginning of voyages for sailors.

Today, the Belem Tower is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world, and for a good reason. Constructed in a Manuelino style, the tower has a unique design with a modern and heavily armed bastion, protruding over the river. Years later, the tower was transformed into a lighthouse and then a customs center.

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Belem Tower History | Everything You Need to Know

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Learn about the construction and significance of the Belem Tower, a stunning example of Renaissance architecture and a symbol of Portugal's maritime power.

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The exterior of the palace mixes several architectural styles

Pena Palace is something that not even Disney could dream of. It's one of the world's most spectacular palaces and one of Europe's most eclectic constructions. Resembling a fairytale castle, it was built in 1840 over an old monastery, which was incorporated into the new building (including a 16th-century chapel with a marble and alabaster altarpiece, and a Manueline cloister with decorative tiles from 1520).

Entrance to Pena Palace

Located at the top of a mountain, it's a fantasy palace mixing details inspired by the Gothic, Manueline, Moorish and Renaissance styles, creating one of the finest examples of European Romanticism. There are watchtowers of various shapes, one of the gateways is topped by the half-man half-fish Triton, and much of the interior (untouched since the last royals left in 1910) is decorated with oriental porcelain and European furniture. In the kitchen are displays of large cooking utensils used to prepare the royal banquets.

The "Great Hall" of the palace

Often compared to Germany's Bavarian castles, Pena is as symbolic to Portugal as Neuschwanstein is to Germany, but it actually predates that Bavarian icon by two decades, and is considered the first Romantic palace in Europe. It was planned by King Ferdinand, who also ordered the planting of Pena Park below it.

The "Visitor's Room" is covered with trompe-l'œil paintings, creating the optical illusion of sculpted walls and ceilings

The palace is comprised of two wings -- the one built over the former monastery (painted pink) and the new one (painted yellow), ringed by storybook watchtowers, battlements, and even a drawbridge. Fourteen monk cells were enlarged and given vaulted ceilings, and were where the royals lived when Pena became their summer residence. The dining room, which features a Manueline ceiling, is the former refectory. The old chapel has been left largely untouched (including the magnificent alabaster altarpiece from 1528), except for a stained glass window added in 1841, which depicts Vasco da Gama kneeling before King Manuel I, recalling the time when the king saw the explorer arrive back in Lisbon from India in 1502 from this mountaintop.

View from the "Queen's Terrace"

The art and furnishings that decorate the interior have been preserved to show what it was like to live like royalty between the end of the 1800s and the early 20th century. A curious piece is one of the earliest telephone exchanges in the Telephone Room, while in the king's bathroom is Portugal's first shower with hot water. Another highlight is the trompe-l'oeil on the ceiling and walls of the Arab Room, which creates the illusion of depth, and the stucco decoration of the Great Hall, which also features a golden bronze chandelier and four large sculptures of "Turks" holding candelabra with 25 candles each. In the impressive Indian Room is furniture brought from India and walls covered in oriental-style stucco ornamentation.

The palace has a café with outdoor seating on a terrace with a view

The interior gives access to the Queen's Terrace, which is on the upper floor and overlooks Pena Park and the entrance gate to the palace. It's here that many tourists stop for selfies, due to the magnificent view.
Outside, you'll find that some features resemble those of other monuments in Portugal, such as the spiked gateway that resembles the Casa dos Bicos and Belém Tower in Lisbon, and a window clearly inspired by an iconic one in the Castle-Convent of Tomar.

Pena Palace seen from Pena Park

A National Monument since 1910, Pena is part of Sintra's "cultural landscape" that was classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1995. In 2013 it became part of the Network of European Royal Residences and a CNN report considered it one of the world's most beautiful castles).

Visiting Pena Palace

Such a magnificent monument naturally attracts thousands of tourists. As a result, a visit may take almost half a day, including transportation to reach its mountaintop location, waiting in line for tickets, then waiting to access the interior, touring the rooms, and stopping to take the perfect photos. However, it is very much a must see, you just need some patience in the high season (April to September).
It opens at 9:30am, so make it your first stop in Sintra to avoid the larger crowds (often several tour buses at the same time) that tend to arrive by mid-morning. Continuing into Pena Park, you can spend most of the day here, but should also stop at the Moorish Castle, which is just a short walk down from the palace.

Admission and Tickets to Pena Palace

Admission to Pena Palace is €14 for adults and €12.50 for children between the ages of 6 and 17. That's the "Palace+Park" ticket, which allows you to tour the interior, walk around the terraces outside, and explore Pena Park below. If you just want to get close to the monument and see it from the terrace outside by the gate, you may acquire a cheaper ticket (the "Park" ticket), of just €7.50 for adults and €6.50 for children, which is the admission to Pena Park alone. The Lisboa Card offers a 10% discount for both.
You can also save time by buying the tickets online here: Pena Palace and Park Tickets

Opens every day

How to Get to Pena Palace

It's a demanding hour-long hike from the center of town up to the gate at the top of the mountain, so unless you're fit, enjoying hiking, and have plenty of time to spare, you need to take a bus, which departs from outside the train station. For complete details, see the guide to the 434 bus.
Never drive up to the palace, as there is almost no parking, and navigating the narrow twisting roads of Sintra can be nerve-wracking.

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How to Visit One of the World's Most Stunning Palaces

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Tourist guide to Pena Palace (Palácio da Pena), the fairytale castle in Sintra, Portugal, including how to get there and tickets.

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