Penha da França

Penha da França

Penha de França is an old neighborhood in the city of Lisbon, located on top of the Penha de França hill, approximately 110 meters above sea level, which provides unique views over the Portuguese capital, the Tagus River, the 25th of April Bridge, and the National Sanctuary of Christ the King in Almada on the south bank of the Tagus River. The name Penha de França originates from the founding of the Penha de França convent in 1598. The neighborhood has a diverse landscape with the presence of vegetable gardens, farms, convents, and modern buildings. The main thoroughfare of Penha de França is Avenida General Roçadas, a wide avenue lined with residential buildings, connecting Penha to Alto de São João and the Graça neighborhood. The most sought-after places in the parish are the Alto de São João Cemetery, due to the architecture of its tombs and the view it offers over the Tagus River, and the National Tile Museum, a place where one can see the historical evolution of this decorative material highly valued by the Portuguese. Penha de França is a safe, traditional neighborhood where it is possible to live with quality.

Penha de França, Lisbon

Penha de França is administered by the Parish Council of Penha de França.

Attractions to visit in the Penha de França neighborhood (top 10)

1. The National Tile Museum is a museum housed in the Madre de Deus Convent building on Rua Madre de Deus, with a permanent exhibition dedicated to Portuguese tiles depicting various historical events and personalities. The National Tile Museum was inaugurated in 1980, after being overseen by the National Museum of Ancient Art. The Madre de Deus Convent was founded by Queen Leonor (1458-1525), wife of King John II and sister of King Manuel I, to house Discalced Franciscan nuns of the Rule of Saint Clare. The convent underwent several improvements, notably during the reign of King John III, with an improvement project by the architect Diogo de Torralva, aimed at increasing the size of the convent. The cloister and chapels date from this period; King Peter II improved the church with a project by João Rebello de Campos. The ceiling paintings are by Marcos da Cruz and Bento Coelho da Silveira, and the tile panels; King John V built a new sacristy and restored the upper choir with gilded woodcarving, with a project under the supervision of Father José Pacheco da Cunha. The works of the painter André Gonçalves, the master woodcarver Félix Adauto da Cunha, and the carpenter António da Silva should be highlighted.
   The National Tile Museum’s attractions include: the Permanent Exhibition with the history of tiles in Portugal from the 16th century to the present day; the exhibition “Great Panorama of Lisbon” which portrays Lisbon in tiles before the 1755 earthquake; the Tile Painting Workshops; the Church; the Choir; the Cloister; the Chapel of Saint Anthony; and the Chapel of Queen Dona Leonor.
2. Alto de São João Cemetery is the largest cemetery in Lisbon, covering 22 hectares and containing over 19,000 tombs, located in Parada do Alto de São João. The cemetery was built by Queen Dona Maria II in 1833 after a major cholera outbreak in Lisbon. The Alto de São João Cemetery has some interesting facts, notably that it was the site of Portugal’s first crematorium in 1925. The Alto de São João Cemetery is where many figures of the republican movement are buried, especially Admiral Cândido dos Reis, the doctor Miguel Bombarda, and Colonel Elias Garcia. Álvaro Cunhal and José Saramago were cremated here. The main points of interest at the Alto de São João Cemetery are: the Tomb of the Benefactors of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa by the architect Adães Bermudes; the Tomb of the Counts of Valmor by the architect Álvaro Machado; the Tomb of the Benefactors of the City; the Tomb of the Volunteer Firefighters; and the Tomb of the Combatants.
3. Alameda Monumental Fountain is a fountain of monumental dimensions, located on Alameda Dom Afonso Henriques. The fountain was inaugurated in 1948 with a project by the architect Carlos Rebelo de Andrade to commemorate the entry of the waters of the Tagus River into the city of Lisbon. The main highlights of the Alameda Monumental Fountain are: the Alameda Viewpoint; The thirteen springs that operate daily in two shifts, the first between 12 and 3 pm, and the second between 6 and 11 pm; a statue representing the Tietê River by Diogo de Macedo; and the 13 statues representing the Tagus nymphs by Maximiano Alves. The Tagus nymphs are first mentioned in Luís Vaz de Camões’s work “Os Lusíadas”. These figures were later represented by other artists, notably Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro.
4. The Church and Convent of Our Lady of Penha de França is a 17th-century religious temple located in Largo da Penha de França. The Convent of Our Lady of Penha de França was built to house an image of Our Lady of Penha de França in 1598, and later given to the Order of the Hermits of Saint Augustine. The convent was inaugurated in 1635 with a design by the architect Teodósio de Frias, and was significantly affected by the 1755 earthquake. Reconstruction began in 1756 with the participation of the two architects Aires da Cunha and Caetano de Sousa. The Church and Convent of Our Lady of Penha de França served various functions after the extinction of religious orders in 1834, notably as a military barracks, a water company depot, and the General Command of the Public Security Police. The main points of interest are: the staircase leading to the interior of the church; The ceiling painted by José Maria Pereira Júnior features two main elements – a representation of the miracle of Our Lady of Penha de França and the coat of arms of the Royal Brotherhood of Our Lady of Penha de França; the side altar of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, where the image of Saint John the Baptist stands out; the chancel – here, the altarpiece by the architect Caetano de Sousa and the woodcarver António Nunes Colares should be highlighted. In the chancel, the image of Our Lady of Penha de França deserves special mention; the 18th-century tile panels representing the Stations of the Cross in the Life of Saint Augustine and scenes from the Life of the Virgin Mary; and the tomb of Antônio de Cavide and his wife, Dona Maria Antônia de Castro.
5. The Penha de França viewpoint is a viewpoint in the city of Lisbon, located on Rua Marques da Silva. The Penha de França Viewpoint is located in front of the Church of Our Lady of Penha de França, its main attraction being the view over the Tagus River, Alto de São João and the south bank of the Tagus;
6. Penha de França Fountain is a 19th-century fountain located in Largo da Penha de França. The fountain is built of Lioz stone and was inaugurated in 1870.
7. Main Jewish Cemetery is the main Jewish cemetery in Lisbon, located on Rua Afonso III. The Main Jewish Cemetery was built in the 19th century on the initiative of Moses Anahory.
8. Santa Apolônia Fort or Bulwark is a 17th-century fortress located on Rua do Forte de Santa Apolônia. The fortress was built during the Restoration War (1640-1668), playing an important role in the defense of the city of Lisbon. What remains of the Fort or Bastion of Santa Apolônia is currently undergoing restoration.
9. Palace of the Marquises of Nisa is the space where the Maria Pia College operates, located in Largo do Marquês de Nisa. The palace was built in the 16th century to be the residence of Dom Francisco da Câmara, having been sold several times until it was bought by the Marquis of Nisa in the 17th century. The Palace of the Marquises of Nisa is currently owned by the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa.

Other attractions to explore in Penha de França

• O Valsa is a cultural space located on Rua da Penha de França. Valsa opened in 2010 and has functioned as a pole of attraction for many tourists and Lisbon residents due to its wide variety of services, including: Record store; Café-bar; Cheese and snack tasting; Bookstore; Creative Writing Workshop; Parties and musical shows.
• Choco Frrito Restaurant: a restaurant in Lisbon where you can eat fried cuttlefish, a gastronomic specialty of Setúbal, located on Rua da Penha de França. The restaurant opened in 2017 on the Costa da Caparica, and reopened in its current location in 2018. The Choco Frrito Restaurant is located in a small and welcoming space, offering dishes such as “Choco Frrito” (regular and large), “Choqrrette” (a type of fried eggplant), and “Sangria de Limão” (lemon sangria).
• Forte de Santa Apolônia;
• Praça Paiva Couceiro;
• Ludobiblioteca;
• Convento de Madre de Deus;
• Fonte Monumental da Alameda Dom Afonso Henriques;
• Biblioteca Municipal da Penha de França;
• Convento de Santos-o-Novo;
• Igreja de Madre de Deus;
• Igreja Nossa Senhora da Penha;
• Sappers Market;
• Diogo Cão Palace;
• Palace of the Marquises of Nisa.

Main streets and squares of Penha de França

• Alameda Dom Afonso Henriques is a landscaped and busy area of ​​the city of Lisbon, connecting Rua Barão Sabrosa, Rua Actor Vale, Rua Carvalho Araújo, Rua Rosa Damasceno, Rua João de Menezes, Rua Abade Faria, Rua Actor Isidro, Rua Carlos Mardel and Avenida Almirante Reis. Alameda Dom Afonso Henriques is named to honor Dom Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal. A Alameda Dom Afonso Henriques is close to several attractions, including: Alameda Viewpoint; Alameda Illuminated Fountain; Instituto Superior Técnico.
• Largo da Penha de França is the most central square in Penha de França, connecting Rua da Penha de França and Rua Marques da Silva. Largo da Penha de França is so named because of the presence of the Church of Nossa Senhora da Penha de França. Largo da Penha de França is close to the Church of Nossa Senhora da Penha de França; the Penha de França Fountain; and the Convent of Our Lady of Penha de França.
• Rua da Penha de França is the main street of Penha de França due to the constant movement of people and vehicles, the presence of numerous shops and restaurants, connecting Largo da Penha de França, Travessa do Calado, Rua Angelina Vidal and Rua dos Sapadores. The Rua da Penha de França is so named because of the miracle of Our Lady of Penha de França. Points of interest on Rua da Penha de França are the Penha de França Parish Council; the “Valsa” cultural space; the Choco Frrito restaurant; the Urban Art representing the “Legend of the Penha Lizard”; the Children’s Park at Praça Antônio Sardinha; the Dona Luísa de Gusmão State School; and the Externato Mãe de Deus.
• Avenida General Roçadas

Educational Establishments in the Penha de França neighborhood

• Coopescola – Externato de Nossa Senhora da Penha de França
• Externato Mãe de Deus

Fairs, Festivals and Pilgrimages in the Penha de França neighborhood

• Jazz na Praça: jazz show sessions in Praça Paiva Couceiro, without a pre-established schedule

Location of the Parish of Penha de França on the map of Lisbon