Estrela Basilica

Maria I vowed to build a church if she bore a son, did so in 1761, and construction began in 1779; the basilica was finished in 1790, by which time the son had died of smallpox and the queen had begun the mental collapse that led to her being declared unfit. She is buried inside. The building is late baroque turning neoclassical, in pale limestone with a large dome and twin towers, its interior faced in grey, pink and yellow marble. Two things reward the visit beyond the architecture: a nativity scene of over five hundred figures in cork and terracotta by Joaquim Machado de Castro, shown seasonally, and the walkway around the dome, reached by a long stair, which gives a view over the Jardim da Estrela, the rooftops and the river. It is a working parish church across from the park.

What you actually see

• The dome terrace - a walkway with views over western Lisbon and the Tagus.
• The nativity - Machado de Castro's crib of over five hundred cork and terracotta figures.
• The marble interior - grey, pink and yellow stone throughout.
• The queen's tomb - Maria I, who built it on a vow and outlived the reason.

When to go

Year-round. One hour. The nativity is displayed seasonally, mainly around Christmas - ask before making a special trip for it.

Honest expectations

The dome stair is long, narrow and has no lift. The terrace access has irregular hours and closes in bad weather. Services restrict access to the nave. The nativity is not on display all year.

Nearby

The Jardim da Estrela is directly across the square; the English Cemetery is beside it.