Lisbon - Igreja do Carmo

The Igreja do Carmo was destroyed by the earthquake and now houses the Archeological Museum. It is one of Lisbon's most unusual memorials. The ruins are immediately obvious from the Rossio and from the bridge leading from the Elevador do Carmo but appear less noticeable from the Largo do Carmo. One reason for this is the location of the church. It was built on a slope to the west of the Baixa so that, with the western main facade incorporating the entrance portal kept relatively low, the eastern part with the chancel had to be built even lower and is thus more striking. The construction of the church and the now closed former Carmelite monastery dates back to a vow taken by the Portuguese national hero, Nuno Álvares Pereira, before his troops could secure Portugal's independence against Castille in the battle of Aljubarrota in 1385 and thus the power of the first Avis king, Joao I. Nuno Alvares himself lived later as a member of the Order in the Carmelite monastery and died there in 1431. The ruins are the remains of Lisbon's only church built in the almost pure Gothic style. Together with the Sé Patriarchal, it is one of the few relics of medieval building remaining in the Portuguese capital. The former church is entered through a lovely portal. The style of construction of the three aisled building is still apparent, the view of the high Gothic arches which now tower up uselessly, being particularly impressive. Only the chancel in the eastern section is still roofed and it is here in particular that the proportions of the former church are apparent. A Manueline window opposite the entrance dates originally from the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos in Belém. After the earthquake it was actually planned to rebuild the monastery church but this never happened. The ruins were temporarily completely overrun by ivy.