Penha de França

Madre de Deus Convent.

The Madre de Deus Convent was founded in 1509 by Queen Leonor of Viseu.

On the other hand, the Convent of Penha de França, founded in 1598, lends its name to this parish. Its territory originated from medieval parishes: Santo Estêvão de Alfama, Santa Justa, and Olivais, within Lisbon's jurisdiction. Perched at 110 meters above sea level, it offers sweeping city views.

In the 16th century, residential areas emerged around the convents, the Royal Palace, and the Mitra. In the 17th century, development centered around the Church of Penha de França and the Convent (now the General Command of the PSP).

The 1755 earthquake led to the abandonment of estates (Pina, Coxo, Bacalhau, among others) and manors (Gadanho, Peixinhos, Alto da Eira, Santo António, and Machada).

View of Penha de França in 1857, by Tomás José da Anunciação

In the 19th century, factories sprang up in the valleys of Chelas and Xabregas while maintaining a rustic character. It remained a favored area for Lisbon residents to stroll, as described by Almeida Garrett in "Viagens na Minha Terra".

Penha de França's traditions include the "Forrolho Procession", a nighttime event where doors were knocked with a ferrolho (latch) to awaken the devout.[2]

Commissioned by Queen Maria II in 1833 following a cholera epidemic in Lisbon, the Alto de São João Cemetery served as the city's cemetery for over a century, honoring its most distinguished figures.

EPAL warehouse, built in 1929, and Church of Nª Srª da Penha de França

The freguesia of Penha de França was created on April 13, 1918. and in 1925 the country's first crematorium was built in the parish.

In 1959 its area was reduced in order to create the parishes of Alto do Pina and São João, while it has housed the National Museum of the Azulejo since 1965 in the Madre de Deus Convent.

With the 2012 Administrative Reform, the parish of São João merged with Penha de França and the new and larger parish kept its name.[3]

The parish hosts the Portuguese Camping and Mountaineering Federation and, on a bimestral basis, hosts the Penha de França Theme Fair.[4][5] The parish features also three public libraries - with the last one being opened in 2015 - many cultural associations such as ""Os fidalgos da Penha", a large municipal market (Mercado de Sapadores) and art galleries.[6][7][8][9][10][11][12]

17th azulejo century panel

Nossa Senhora da Vida retabule; 16th century

Tiles from 1680

Tiles dating from 1660

• Alto de São João Cemetery: Including the Jazigo Viscondes de Valmor, it was established in 1833 during a cholera epidemic it was located in the rural outskirts and holds a diverse history. Its architecture includes works by renowned architects and anonymous builders. The cemetery pays tribute to Republican revolutionaries, features mausoleums dedicated to benefactors and women activists, and housed Portugal's first crematorium in 1925, later reactivated in 1985. Notable figures like Nobel laureate José Saramago and politician Álvaro Cunhal were cremated here.[13]
• Chafariz da Penha de França: 1870 fountain[14][15]
• Chafariz do Alto do Pina: Ancient fountain[16]
• Edifício na Rua dos Baldaques, 13: Building from 1932 that won the Eugénio dos Santos architecture prize[17]
• Fort Santa Apolónia or Baluarte de Santa Apolónia: built between 1652 and 1668, defended the eastern part of Lisbon. Its pentagonal design, facing east and west, includes well-preserved features like masonry walls, watchtowers, and gates. Classified as a Property of Public Interest, it was part of a riverside defensive line.[18]
• Forte de Santa Apolónia geomonument: In the Middle Miocene, the area around Lisbon served as an estuary for a major river, where fresh water mingled with the saltwater from the sea. Within this transitional setting, abundant in organic material, substantial populations of Gryphaea gryphoides oysters took root, with some of these oysters growing to impressive lengths of up to 40 cm.[19][20]
• Igreja Paroquial de São Francisco de Assis: Church inaugurated in 1959[21][22][23]
• Igreja São João Evangelista: Catholic church inaugurated in 1989[24]
• Madre de Deus Convent and church: Founded in 1509 by Queen D. Leonor, the Convent showcases diverse architectural styles, including Mudéjar, Manueline, Mannerist, Baroque, and Revivalist. It houses the National Tile Museum, displaying a rich collection of tiles from various eras. The church's simple façade features a notable 19th-century Neo-Manueline portal. Inside, the single nave is adorned with 18th-century historical azulejos depicting the life of St. Francis, and the main chapel and choir boast 16th-century paintings framed in gilt woodwork[25]
• Miradouro da Penha de França: An unforgettable view encompasses both the Tagus Valley, where the horizon meets the Atlantic Ocean, and the opposite direction, offering a glimpse of Alto de São João and much of both riverbanks. To the north, the distant presence of the Sintra Mountain Range can be seen[26]
• National Museum of the Azulejo: Housed in the Convent of the Mother of God, this museum showcases Portuguese azulejos from the 15th to the 20th century, including notable pieces like the Altarpiece of Our Lady of Life and modern works[27][28][29][30]
• Nossa Senhora da Penha de França Church and convent: The first chapel with this dedication emerged following a vow made by the visionary António Simões after the Battle of Alcácer Quibir. Construction began in 1597-98. In 1601, it was handed over to the Augustinian hermits. Between 1625 and 1635, a new temple was built to replace the previous one. It underwent several renovations, notably in the 18th century[31][32]
• Painel de azulejos na fachada da Escola António Arroio: A 1999 polychrome tile panel, 1180 cm x 900 cm, by Master Querubim Lapa, graces the exterior façade of António Arroio School. It features a deconstructed, abstract design with vibrant contrasts[33]
• Palace of the Marquises of Nisa: Founded in 1543 by D. Francisco da Câmara, the second Count of Vidigueira, this building passed through various owners, including descendants of Vasco da Gama in 1634. It returned to the possession of the Marquises of Nisa in 1672 and underwent significant improvements at that time. Altered substantially from its original structure, both by the earthquake and the interventions of successive owners, it was sold to the Misericórdia de Lisboa in 1926[34]
• Priorado de São Pio X: Catholich church[35]
• Santos-o-Novo convent: Built in the early 17th century for the Order of Santiago, this imposing structure survived partial destruction in the 1755 earthquake.

It includes a vast cloister, ornate chapels, and gilded woodwork[36]

18th century azulejo panel

Museu Nacional do Azulejo

Manueline style

Baroque altar

Saint John the Baptist

S.Lourenço

The parish has 118 streets.[37] They are: