Church of Saint Anthony of Lisbon

It is said that this church was built on the very site where St Anthony of Padua was born, hence its name. It was completely destroyed in the earthquake of 1755, with the exception of its crypt, and was quickly rebuilt in the Baroque and Rococo styles, with a few touches of Neoclassicism. Today, the cathedral is very popular with locals, and even hosts a very special ceremony broadcast on Portuguese television; every year, on the eve of the Feast of St Anthony, the city chooses 16 couples and pays for their wedding ceremony, so that they can all be married in the cathedral at the same time. The people of Lisbon flock to the cathedral to celebrate and party in the streets, where they eat grilled sardines and other grilled meats in homage to the patron saint, as is customary. The city’s pulsating with energy!