Lisbon Cathedral

About this place

Founded in 1147 after the Christian conquest of Lisbon, the cathedral preserves the city's medieval religious history. Earthquakes and rebuilding introduced different architectural styles. Look at its fortress-like frontage and later additions as evidence of both continuity and repeated reconstruction. Its dedication to Saint Mary places it within the religious reorganisation that followed the capture of the city. The repeated damage and restoration are equally central to its story. Comparing the heavy frontage with other parts of the building offers a way to trace the survival of an institution through Lisbon's changing physical landscape.