Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Encarnação

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Encarnação is a parish church on Largo do Chiado in Lisbon, in the heart of the historic Chiado district. It blends late Baroque and Neoclassical design, and inside it holds a sculpture by Joaquim Machado de Castro and a richly painted ceiling.

How did the church come to be?

The first church was founded in 1698 by Elvira Maria de Vilhena, Countess of Pontével and a lady-in-waiting to Queen Catherine of Braganza. The early eighteenth-century building, dated to 1708, did not survive the great earthquake of 1755. The disaster destroyed it completely, as it did many other churches in this part of the Portuguese capital.

Rebuilding after the earthquake

The church was rebuilt under the direction of the architect Manuel Caetano de Sousa. The work was unusually drawn out and only finished in 1873. That long timeline explains the mix of styles, with late Baroque and classicising forms side by side.

What do the facade and interior look like?

The late Baroque, Neoclassical facade is emphasised by six Corinthian pilasters, which accentuate the height of the building. A triangular pediment crowns the whole composition.

Inside is a single nave with no transept, a large chancel and a barrel vault. Four small chapels flank the central nave. The layout is simple and clear, which leaves the artworks to draw the eye.

What should you look for inside?

• The statue of Our Lady of the Incarnation – by Joaquim Machado de Castro (1731–1822), regarded as Portugal's most celebrated sculptor.
• The ceiling paintings – by Simão Caetano Nunes, ornate and full of detail.

Where is it and how to visit?

The address is Largo do Chiado 15, 1200-108 Lisbon. This is one of the city's most elegant areas, full of historic buildings, cafes and bookshops. The church fits naturally into a walk through Chiado and Bairro Alto. It remains an active parish church, so keep quiet inside and avoid sightseeing during services.

Frequently asked questions

When was the church built? The original church was founded in 1698, and the early eighteenth-century building is dated to 1708.

Why did the rebuilding take so long? The church was completely destroyed in 1755. Work under Manuel Caetano de Sousa continued until 1873.

Who made the sculpture inside? The figure of Our Lady of the Incarnation is by Joaquim Machado de Castro.

Is this the same as Igreja do Bairro da Encarnação? No. The church in the Alvalade area is a separate building. The one described here stands in Chiado.

What is the interior layout? One nave without a transept, a large chancel, a barrel vault and four side chapels.