Estrela Basilica of the Sacred Heart

The world's first church dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (consecrated 1790), built by Queen Maria I — iconic dome, magnificent interior, and a remarkable Baroque nativity scene.

The Basílica da Estrela — formally the Royal Basilica and Convent of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus — holds the distinction of being the first church in the world dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Queen Maria I commissioned it as a votive offering after the birth of her son, and it was consecrated in 1790. Its gleaming white façade and commanding dome are among Lisbon's most recognisable landmarks, visible from across the Estrela neighbourhood. Inside the adjoining Carmelite convent, a remarkable 18th-century nativity scene features more than 500 hand-crafted terracotta figures. The basilica is open daily and remains an active place of worship as well as a popular stop for visitors exploring western Lisbon.