About the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene (Santa Maria Magdalena) in Lisbon, Portugal:
The Church of Santa Maria Magdalene was founded shortly after the Christian reconquest of Lisbon, at the gates of the Moorousing, dating from 1100’s and then some modifaction in 1262, 1372 and 1692. Almost entirely destroyed by the 1755 earthquake, rebuilding began in 1761 and was re-opened for in 1783, although decorative interventions continued for another two decades. Although smaller in size than the original church, the church was rebuilt while maintaining the previous orientation and location.
In the nave the ceiling sports paintings framed by gilded and painted carving, with allegories of the Church and, in the side medallions, the Apostles, works of the school of Pedro Alexandrino de Carvalho. The six altars with altarpieces in gilded and marbled carving, housing large sculptures. Of these, the images of the Holy Family, attributed to José de Almeida and from the disappeared Convento dos Camilos (along with São Camilo de Lellis, also attributable to José de Almeida, Our Lady of the Conception and Santa Margarida de Cortona) are particularly beautiful and majestic.
In a side chapel (often called a collateral chapel) on the left side of the church (side of the Gospel), is a canvas by Pedro Alexandrino, appearing the Last Supper, and currently the image of the Lord of the Steps. On the right of the church (side of the epistle), in the dressing of the altarpiece in gilded and marble carving, stands the great and eloquent image of Christ Crucified – the Lord of the Cardons, of great veneration and miraculous fame, already with a chapel of its own in the previous church in the first half of Setecentus. In the superior record of the cruise, four screens of Pedro Alexandrino represent São Tude, the Presentation in the Temple, Santa Ana with Our Lady and São Miguel.
In the Chapel-mor, on its side walls, two canvases by Pedro Alexandrino on each side, reveal scenes of the life of the patron saint: Repentance of Mary Magdalene, Apparition of Jesus, Penitance of Mary Magdalene and Calvary. The altarpiece of neoclassical feature, in gilded and marbled carving, is topped by the representation of the Faith, the Holy Spirit and Hope. Closing the dressing room, which contains throne, a canvas of the same painter represents the Descent of the Holy Spirit. The three images he keeps about mysulas are of manifest sculptural interest: the center, Christ Crucified, attributed to José de Almeida; laterally, Santa Maria Madalena and Santa Marta, attributed to Machado de Castro, who was a member of the Brotherhood of the Most Holy Sacrament of this church. This Brotherhood was one of the first founded in Lisbon with this invocation and the first to wear red opas, wears later disseminated as proper to the Eucharistic brotherhoods.
In the choir there is an organ of Machado and Cerveira, from the Convent of Santo António dos Capuchos.
Traveling to the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene (Santa Maria Magdalena) in Lisbon, Portugal:
Address: Victory Street – Church, 1100-618 Lisbon
Phone: +351 218 879 549
Email: geral-paroquiasaonicolau.pt