Description of the attraction
The Graça area, located on a hill northeast of the Castle of St. George, is considered one of the oldest districts in Lisbon. The area is famous for its narrow streets. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many houses for workers' families were built in the area. Some of the facades of the constructed buildings are very narrow, which suggests that families were cramped inside. Examples of many of these houses can be seen on Largo da Graça.
Graça Church, one of the oldest churches in Lisbon, is located on a hill and can be seen from afar. The church stands in an open area. Together with the monastery, the church was founded in the 13th century by Augustinian monks. The monastery was the richest and largest, it could accommodate up to 1500 people. Today the monastery is used as a military barracks, so you can only see the church.
During the Lisbon earthquake in 1755, the church and the monastery were destroyed, and restoration work was carried out there. Later, restoration work was carried out more than once, the last of which was in 1905. There is an observation deck near the church. The facade of the church with a bell tower is made in the Baroque style. The hall of the church is also made in the Baroque style, inside there are many paintings, sculptures, tiles and azulesos of the 15th - 17th centuries have been preserved. In the sacristy there are two monumental armchairs made of marble. In the right transept, which can be reached by steps, there is a figure of Christ carrying the Cross in bright purple robes, which makes an indelible impression. Every year for Easter celebrations, this figure is taken out of the church and carried at the head of the procession.
Since 1910, the monastery and church have been classified as a national monument.
