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GPS 38.71471997835978, -9.138752171007056

The Church of São Domingos, belonging to the Convent of São Domingos in Lisbon, occupies the northern half of the eastern side of Praça D. Pedro IV. It is limited to the north by Rua Barros de Queirós, to the west by Largo de São Domingos, to the south by Praça da Figueira and to the east by Rua de Dom Duarte.

It was built in the 13th century, by order of King D. Sancho II and its first stone was laid in 1241. Since then, it has been the target of numerous works campaigns that completely altered its medieval design. The convent was later added by D. Afonso III and again enlarged by D. Manuel I. It was here that the Lisbon Massacre of 1506 began. The 1531 earthquake greatly ruined it, which forced a new rebuilding in 1536.

In this earthquake, which happened on the 26th of January, everything changes. The damage caused by the earthquake was enormous. In its thick walls cracks opened from the ceiling to the floor, even collapsing in some places. Its reopening was possible thanks to the alms of the faithful, the various congregations - especially the company of Jesus - and a subsidy from the King. The three naves and all their ornaments will be preserved.

The old Church of São Domingos was next to the hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Escada, also known as Nossa Senhora da Corredoura, as it is close to the site of that name, currently Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, and whose construction dated from the beginnings of the monarchy.

Its richness in precious implements was notable, with an image in solid silver, which went out in procession on a litter of the same metal, illuminated by lamps, also made of silver. The paintings on the altars, the vestments, the treasures, everything disappeared during the 1755 earthquake, saving only the sacristy and the chancel, commissioned by D. João V and drawn up by the architect João Frederico Ludovice, in 1748 - man who designed the colossal Convent of Mafra. The chancel, all in black marble, and on whose columns, next to the base, delicately chiseled medallions can be seen, which also loom over the side niches.

In its reconstruction, the architect Carlos Mardel (1696-1763) tried to preserve as much as possible the style of the chancel designed by the architect João Frederico Ludovice (1676-1752). The architect also added magnificent marble columns to all the altars. As far as the upper choir is concerned, it is made up of a rectangular plan on wooden beams, supported by two majestic columns, and is illuminated by the three entrances of light found in an upper register, as well as by the oculus in the main window. Its reopening took place in 1834, managing to accommodate more than 2000 faithful.

The church ended up being rebuilt by Manuel Caetano de Sousa, under the direction of Carlos Mardel. The portal was reused and came from the royal chapel of the Palácio da Ribeira, as well as the balcony above the portal.

Being one of the largest churches in Lisbon, all the major religious ceremonies, national and royal funerals, as well as the solemnities of baptisms and royal weddings were held there.

On August 13, 1959, a violent fire completely destroyed the interior decoration of the church, which contained gilded altars, valuable images and paintings by Pedro Alexandrino de Carvalho. The church received works and reopened to the public in 1994, without hiding the marks of the fire, such as the cracked columns. Although destroyed, it is a church that stands out for the polychromy of its marbles.

It is currently the parish church of the parish of Santa Justa and Santa Rufina, in the middle of Baixa Pombalina and was classified as a National Monument. It exposes half of the handkerchief used by Sister Lúcia on October 13, 1917 (the other half is in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, in Fátima) and also the rosary used by Saint Jacinta Marto on the same day.

Predominantly baroque, with a Latin cross plan, it has a very simple façade and the interior, even after the earthquake and fire, still shows great beauty and eclecticism. It is a church with a single nave, majestic. The sacristy and the entrance still show a bit of a Mannerist flavor, denoting the various works campaigns that it was the target of in its history. The same style can be seen in the tombs and diamond-tipped tile wainscoting in the sacristy.

In the vault, behind the altar, there is the tomb of D. Afonso, son of D. Afonso III. In a passageway to the sacristy, with entrance on Rua da Palma, are the tombs of the great Dominican preacher Fr. Luís de Granada (d. 1588) and the order reformer Fr. João de Vasconcelos (d. 1652). This church also has a vaulted crypt, with tiled paneling, where the tomb of D. João de Castro, chaplain of D. João, is located.