Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora

LISBON, Portugal – The Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora is a 17th-century monastery that features impressive polychromatic marble and the tomb of several Portuguese kings.

Sacristy of the Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora in Lisbon Portugal
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The Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora is one of the ornate white buildings that you can see clearly from the ramparts of Saint George Castle.

The present monastery dates back to the 17th century, although the original church on the site goes much further, to the 12th century.

There are two main highlights. One is the exceptionally ornate sacristy, which features many different colored marbles (known as polychrome marble) to create ornately decorated walls that rise to an equally ornate painted ceiling.

The other popular highlight is the Braganza Pantheon, which is where the Portuguese kings of the House of Braganza are entombed.

Photos of the Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora

Entrance Hall of the Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora in Lisbon Portugal
More polychromatic marble used in the floor of the main entrance hall. The walls have blue and white glazed tiles that tell the history of the monastery and the Siege of Lisbon in 1147. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Entrance Hall of the Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora in Lisbon Portugal
The painted ceiling of the entrance hall, a 1710 painting by Vincenzo Baccarelli. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Rooftop of Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora in Lisbon Portugal
On the rooftop. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Pantheon of the House of Braganca at the Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora in Lisbon Portugal
The Royal Pantheon of the House of Braganza. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Bell Tower of the Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora in Lisbon Portugal
Inside the bell tower. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Facade of the Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora in Lisbon Portugal
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
View from the Rooftop of the Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora in Lisbon Portugal
Looking east from the rooftop over the Tagus River. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Entrance Hall of the Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora in Lisbon Portugal
The main entrance hall. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Chapel of the Meninos de Palhava Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora in Lisbon Portugal
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Cloisters of the Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora in Lisbon Portugal
More blue and white glazed tiles line the walls of the cloisters around the courtyard. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Chapel of the Meninos de Palhava Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora in Lisbon Portugal
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Pantheon of the Patriarchs of Lisbon at the Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora in Lisbon Portugal
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Allegory Tiles at the Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora in Lisbon Portugal
An exhibit displaying the large college of Allegory Tiles, each one depicting a specific allegory. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Chapel of St Anthony at the Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora in Lisbon Portugal
Altar of the Chapel of St Anthony. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Cisteren Under the Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora in Lisbon Portugal
The cistern under the monastery, which was a source of fresh water. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Shells Exhibit at the Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora in Lisbon Portugal
Quirkily, a few small rooms feature a display of a large number of shells. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Cloisters of the Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora in Lisbon Portugal
The interior courtyard and cloisters. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Chapel of the Meninos de Palhava Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora in Lisbon Portugal
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Rooftop of Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora in Lisbon Portugal
Looking southeast from the rooftop. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

What to Know Before You Go

You can access the rooftop for some wonderful views out of the city and Tagus River.

David Coleman / Photographer

David Coleman

I'm a freelance travel photographer based in Washington DC. Seven continents, up mountains, underwater, and a bunch of places in between. My images have appeared in numerous publications, and you can check out some of my gear reviews and tips here. More »