Lisbon Cathedral is one of the sacred tourist destinations in the capital city of Portugal. In Portuguese it is known as the Sana Maria Maior de Lisboa. This magnificent cathedral is a fine example of Romanesque architecture and was constructed in the 12th century by Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal. The cathedral was built in place of a mosque, which existed during the Moorish rule. Earthquakes of 1344 and 1755 caused substantial damage to the cathedral of Lisbon and the structure was rebuilt. It is recognized as one of the oldest churches in Lisbon.
Every year thousands of tourists flock to see the Lisbon Cathedral. The architectural simplicity of the cathedral is its beauty. The cathedral facade resembles a medieval fortress, with a smooth blend of the Gothic and the Romanesque style. The entrance of the cathedral is bounded by the twin tower.
The major attractions in Lisbon Cathedral are
- Gothic chapel of Barthomolomeu Joanes built
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during the 14th century.
- The historic fort where St. Anthony of Padua was christened in the year 1195.
- The Crib sculpted by Machado de Castro, the famous Portuguese sculptor.
- Sacrophagus of Lopo Fernandes Pacheco built in the 14th century.
- The Cloister built by King Dinis in the 14th century. It contains some tombs with inscription stones and has some typical Romanesque wrought iron grills.
- The sacristy - a room inside the cathedral contains valuable images and beautiful artifacts from the 15th and 16th centuries. It was built in a classical Baroque style.
The cathedral of Lisbon is a brilliant architecture symbolizing the reaffirmation of Christianity in Lisbon by the crusaders in the 12th century. The Portuguese attach a lot of historical significance to this distinctive landmark in Lisbon.
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