The building is located on the site of a church built in 1568, which was later damaged in 1681.
The total rebuilt of the building started in 1682 but remained had no roof until the early 1960s. It was completed and inaugurated in 1966.
A landmark in the city’s skyline, it offers a privileged view over the historic area of ​​Lisbon and the Tejo River.
This building is the burial place of figures from national politics – Teófilo Braga, Manuel de Arriaga, Sidónio Pais and Óscar Carmona – and from Portuguese culture – João de Deus, Almeida Garrett, Guerra Junqueiro, Amália Rodrigues and Aquilino Ribeiro.
Also has cenotaphs in honour of personalities who represent important milestones in the history of Portugal, such as Nuno Álvares Pereira, Infante D. Henrique, Vasco da Gama, Afonso de Albuquerque, Pedro Álvares Cabral and Luís de Camões.
Still able to receive more illustrious Portuguese personalities.