Cattedrale di Santa Maria Maggiore (Sé)
لشبونة
The Sé is Lisbon's cathedral and the oldest church in the city. It was begun in 1147, right after Afonso Henriques took the city.
The oldest church in the city
In 1147 King Afonso Henriques took Lisbon with the help of crusaders from northern Europe. He started the cathedral, the bishop's church, straight away.
In the following centuries a cloister and a large chapel behind the altar were added. Earthquakes, above all the one in 1755, damaged it several times.
What to look at
The façade has two towers on either side of the main doorway. It almost looks like a fortress: in times of war, a church like this could also protect people.
In the 1900s restorers removed many later additions. They wanted to give the cathedral back the look of its first centuries.
The saint born nearby
Saint Anthony, known around the world as Saint Anthony of Padua, was born in Lisbon. Tradition says he was born nearby, where the church of Santo António stands today. He was baptised in this cathedral.
In June Lisbon celebrates its saint with neighbourhood festivals, music and grilled sardines. People in Lisbon feel he is one of the family.
The city's patron saint
Lisbon also has another patron saint, Saint Vincent. In 1173 the king had his relics brought to the cathedral by sea, from the south of Portugal.
