Sao Vincente de Fora

We returned to Lisbon and were grateful to escape the dismal weather in the UK. Lynne had already formed a "hit list" of places we were going to visit and so we found ourselves walking through the thieves market towards the "Monastery outside the walls" The photo below is looking towards the Pantheon, the white dome.

The church and monastery of Sao Vincente de Flora. St Vincent is the patron saint of Lisbon.

The church is typical of grand Portuguese churches, the canopied alterpiece is flanked by life size statues and a rather intriguing arrangement of candelabra which are raised and lowered through holes in the roof. We spent a little time looking around then went outside and just across the small square to the entrance to the Monastery.

The entrance hall of the monastery is simply splendid, the richly painted ceiling draws ones eyes away from the superbly decorated banister rails and tiled floor.

There are many rooms displaying religious artifacts.

Like many monasteries the cloisters a re a haven of peace. This is looking at one of the belltowers and roof of the church.

Many people ignore this monastery and visit the more famous (and expensive) Monastario dos Geronimos. there are areas within that are easily the equal of anything in Geronimos.
Take for example the sacristy. A beautiful room and some of the finest tiling we have seen.

Kings of Portugal are buried here, this rather creepy statue is at the tomb of king Carlos1

maybe it was because it was January but we seemed to have the place almost to ourselves, there are extensive corridors which presently house an exhibition of tiled panels that illustrate traditional storys in the spirit of the Brer rabbit tales.

If there is an opportunity to get up high I am always keen, Lynne less so! It is possible to get on the roof of the church and enjoy the extensive views over the local area of Lisbon.

There are great views over the river.

You can also see back down into the cloisters of the monastery.

The best view is back towards the dome of Santa Egracia ( the National Pantheon ) the first stone laid in 1642 it took 284 years to finish, there is a local description of a "Santa Egracia job" which basically describes something that is never finished!

We walked back towards the station and enjoyed an extremely expensive coffee, one of the few times we have ben victims of "tourist tax"
However its the cafes mistake as we are not transients but temporary residents and we shall neither visit again or recommend their establishment. If you are ever just outside the railway station at Santa Appollonia, don't bother getting a coffee here........its too expensive.