Audio GuidePrazeres Cemetery Lisbon

Cemitério dos Prazeres, Lisbon’s largest cemetery, is a captivating destination for visitors seeking history and beauty. Established in eighteen thirty-three during a devastating cholera outbreak, it became the city’s main burial ground, replacing traditional church cemeteries for health reasons. Nestled in the Estrela parish, near Campo de Ourique, the cemetery is renowned for its impressive mausoleums and elaborate Baroque tombstones, reflecting the architectural styles and cultural beliefs of Portugal’s elite.

Maik K

Walking through Cemitério dos Prazeres, you’ll be surrounded by towering cypress trees, the oldest and most concentrated in the Iberian Peninsula, creating a serene and majestic atmosphere. The layout is thoughtfully designed with different plots, including the Artists’ Plot and the Firefighters’ Plot, each with its unique stories. Notable figures such as the famous poet Fernando Pessoa and the beloved actress Amália Rodrigues are buried here, adding to the site’s rich cultural heritage.

Pedro Moreno Gonzalez

A highlight is the Mausoleum of D. Pedro de Sousa Holstein, Europe’s largest private mausoleum. This grand structure resembles a Masonic temple and houses around two hundred family members. Inside, intricate sculptures by renowned artists adorn the space, telling tales of love and legacy.

The cemetery also features a historic chapel that now serves as a museum, displaying artifacts from abandoned tombs and offering insights into the local traditions surrounding death and memory. Visitors can explore these exhibits and learn about the transformation of burial practices in Lisbon during the nineteenth century.

Open daily from nine in the morning to five in the evening, extending to six in the summer, Cemitério dos Prazeres welcomes tourists to explore its peaceful paths and remarkable monuments. It stands not only as a resting place for many of Lisbon’s distinguished individuals but also as a vibrant museum under the open sky, preserving Portugal’s history and cultural essence for all who visit.