Igreja de São Sebastião da Pedreira

Igreja de São Sebastião da Pedreira is a seventeenth-century parish church in Lisbon, set in the former Pedreira district in the central part of the city (coordinates 38.7325, -9.1513). Its plain exterior hides a richly decorated interior, and it counts among the few Lisbon buildings that came through the great earthquake of 1755.

When and why was the church built?

Construction began under King John IV, and the church was inaugurated in 1652. A small hermitage belonging to a confraternity of carpenters from Rua das Arcas, in the old Baixa, had stood on the site earlier. The new temple was raised next to it and served from the start as the parish church of the Pedreira area.

What does the building look like outside?

The facade follows the Portuguese "plain style" (estilo chão) and is framed by two towers. Because the courtyard sits at a different level from the entrance, a side stairway takes visitors up to the church.

What is worth seeing inside?

The interior is a good example of the Portuguese idea of "total art", where architecture, sculpture, painting and gilding form a single whole. Baroque work of the 17th and 18th centuries dominates.

• Main chapel – the gilded carved woodwork in National Style is by the sculptor Manuel João da Fonseca, dated 1685.
• Tomb of João Bermudes – the main chapel holds the tomb of the patriarch of Alexandria and Ethiopia, who died in 1570. It was moved here from the earlier hermitage.
• Sub-choir panels – scenes from the iconography of Saint Sebastian, painted in 1740 by Jerónimo da Silva.
• Works by Cirilo Volkmar Machado – including a "Last Supper" painted in 1814.
• Nave ceiling – the present painted stucco ceiling refers to the patron saint and dates from the late 19th century, by João Câncio de Sousa.

What did the 1755 earthquake change?

The church was among the rare survivors of the disaster, but it did not escape damage. The coffered nave ceiling with grotesque decoration, made in 1670, was lost. The ceiling you see today is a later replacement.

Frequently asked questions

Is it still a working parish church? Yes, the parish of São Sebastião da Pedreira is active here, so it is best to visit outside service times and keep quiet inside.

Who is it for? Anyone interested in Baroque art, sacred art and the history of Lisbon after 1755. It is a calm stop away from the busiest tourist routes.

How long does a visit take? Usually 20 to 30 minutes is enough to see the facade, the main chapel and the panels under the choir.

Should I check opening hours? Yes. Hours may change, so it is worth checking the parish website before you go.