Basílica da Estrela - Lisboa, Portugal
Posted by: 
manchanegra
N 38° 42.810 W 009° 09.630
29S E 486046 N 4284996
The Basílica da Estrela (Estrela Basilica) is a basilica in Lisbon, Portugal.
Waymark Code: WMD6VG
Location: Lisboa, Portugal
Date Posted: 11/28/2011
Views: 10
"The Basílica da Estrela (Estrela Basilica) is a basilica in Lisbon, Portugal, built by order of Queen Mary I of Portugal, as a fulfilled promise for giving birth to a son (José, Prince of Brazil). Construction started in 1779 and the basilica was finished in 1790, after the death of José caused by smallpox in 1788.
The huge church has a giant dome, and is located in a hill in what was at the time the western part of Lisbon and can be viewed from far away. The style is similar to the Mafra National Palace, in late baroque and neoclassical. The front has two twin bell towers and includes statues of saints and some allegoric figures.
A large quantity of grey, pink and yellow marble was used in the floor and walls, in intricate geometric patterns, one of the most beautiful in European churches. Several paintings by Pompeo Batoni also contribute to a balanced design. The tomb of the Queen Mary I is on the right transept. A famous nativity scene made by sculptor Joaquim Machado de Castro, with more than 500 figures in cork and terracotta is a major attraction to visitors."
As curiosity:
-It was the first church in the world dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
-Queen Mary I is the only Portuguese monarch of the dynasty of Bragança (except Don Pedro, Emperor of Brazil, located in Sao Paulo), which is not in the Pantheon of Braganza but the Estrela Basilica that she had built.
From Wikipedia
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