History of the Sao Roque Church and location of the hotel in Bairro Alto

Located in the "high" old city of central Lisbon, the church São Roque or Igreja de São Roque in Portugal welcomes hundreds to thousands of visitors every day. With its typical baroque style of the 15th century, it was built under Dom João V. Overall, it is adorned with golden woodwork and luxuriously decorated with other silver colours. The church, called Saint-Roch in English, tells a rich and deep priestly history, whose most precious goods still remain in the place.

History of the church São Roque

Built in 1565, the church of São Roque is dedicated to the patron saint of the sick who suffered from the plague that ravaged much of Lisbon around 1505. Designed by the architect Afonso Alvarez, it was first the professional residence of the first Jesuits settled outside Rome. Ten years after this installation, the Italian architect Fillipo Terzi was hired to rework the design of the building and modify the interior fittings. A survivor of the earthquake that struck Lisbon in 1755, it was in 1768 that the church of São Roque and its auxiliary building were transferred by royal charter to the "House of Mercy". This congregation allowed the church to bear the title of parish until today. A large part of the house has become a museum of sacred art and contains many jewels of priesthood. It also houses eight magnificent chapels and three altars where masses are still celebrated today for all. On the ceiling of the Igreja de São Roque there is a splendid and bewitching painting representing scenes from the Apocalypse. The painted works in this church are almost identical to those found in Rome.

The 9 Hotel Mercy is ideally located to visit the Bairro Alto of Lisbon.

For an unforgettable stay and a guaranteed change of scenery in Lisbon, choose a hotel in Bairro Alto, near the São Roque church. The 9 Hotel Mercy is a four-star hotel with multiple luxury and design rooms in its interiors. The Jesuit Baroque style of the Bairro Alto architecture matches perfectly with the hotel's architecture. Its exterior façade is in harmony with the architecture of its surroundings in the particular style of Portugal in the 16th century. A visit to Lisbon's upper district can be made on foot from the hotel both during the day and for night tours. Throughout the night, various animations are proposed there under the rhythm of the traditional Fado and places of restoration also open their doors. During the day, as the Bairro Alto district is a great shopping area, locals and tourists mingle in the shops and on several stalls selling clothes, books and accessories of all kinds. To stay there is to gain in discoveries and explorations of a great cultural part, that of the museum of sacred art of the church of São Roque, classified national heritage of Portugal.

 

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