Misericórdia Parish

Bairro Alto, Cais do Sodré
and the Viewpoint of São Pedro de Alcântara

Juntas de Freguesias

The Freguesia da Misericórdia, which is part of the Historical Center of Lisbon, was created in 2012 and implemented after the October 2013 elections. The Freguesia de Misericórdia was created with the merger of the parishes of Encarnation, Santa Catarina, Mercês and São Paulo.

Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré: Nights in Lisbon
It is in Freguesia da Misericórdia that you can find two of the best nightlife spots in Lisbon: the Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré. The other quite lively hub of Lisbon's nightlife is at Alcântara Dock.

What to see at Misericórdia

However, there is much more to see in Freguesia da Misericórdia besides Cais do Sodré and the Bairro Alto nights: the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, the Miradouro de Santa Catarina, the Gloria Elevator, the second oldest in Lisbon, the Bica Elevator, churches and convents, among other attractions.

Check the link below for some of the main tourist attractions in the Freguesia da Misericórdia, in the Historic Center of the City of Lisbon.

Learn more: Attractions in Parish of Misericórdia, Lisbon

Area and Population

Significant drop in resident population
With 2.19 km², the Parish of Misericórdia currently has a population of 9,660 inhabitants (INE, 2021). In 2011, the parish had 13,044 inhabitants (ditto), having therefore had a significant drop (-25.94%) in the resident population during this period.

Location

With the River Tagus to the south, the Parish of Misericórdia borders, to the north, with Freguesia de Santo Antônio, to the east, with Freguesia de Santa Maria Maior and, to the west, with Parish of Estrela.

See: Map of Parish of Misericórdia

What to do in Misericórdia

According to each one's schedule, there is the possibility of taking walking tours, guided local excursions with guides in Portuguese, English and other languages to visit the main attractions, and discover the historical, religious and cultural heritage of the Parish of Misericórdia, including the main churches, museums, cultural centers, viewpoints, among other activities.

Learn more: Attractions in Parish of Misericórdia, Lisbon

About the parish of Misericórdia

The current Parish of Misericórdia, created by the merger of the former parishes of Encarnação, Mercês, Santa Catarina and São Paulo, originates due to "the presence of the headquarters of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia in the Church and Professed House of São Roque, since 1768" [CM da Misericórdia].

A bit of history

Bairro Marinheiro
At the time of the Discoveries, the neighborhood continued its growth towards the north of the city, "acquiring a population more connected to maritime activities" [Idem]

Misericórdia, over the centuries, housed "various religious institutions that support children, Christianize the Moors and Jews and the gathering of penitent women". In 1759, under the Marquis of Pombal, during the reign of King José I, with the "expulsion of the Jesuits, the houses of the Society of Jesus were donated to the Santa Casa da Misericórdia" [Ibid].

Palaces and palaces
The current Freguesia da Misericórdia was once a stronghold of the upper-middle and upper classes in Lisbon, with the "construction of numerous palaces, such as the Cunhal das Bolas, Alvito, Almada Carvalhais, Marquês de Ficalho, Conde de Lumiares, Marquês das Minas, Bichinho de Conta, Ludovice and Counts of Tomar, among others" [CM da Misericórdia].

News
More recently, with the merger of the parishes of Encarnação, Santa Catarina, Mercês and São Paulo, in "in the 19th century, the territory [of Freguesia da Misericórdia] continued to congregate artists and intellectuals, who frequented its theaters and cafes. The press also settled in the space of the current Parish, occupying palaces vacant. Newspapers such as the Diário de Notícias, the Lisbon Revolution, the World and the Century thus enlivened the nightlife neighborhood, which was becoming increasingly accessible with the new Glória, Bica and Estrela elevators" [Idem].

Artists and intellectuals
Among the many intellectuals and artists who resided in the Freguesia da Misericórdia stand out the names of: "names like Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, Manuel Maria Barbosa du Bocage, Almeida Garrett, Alexandre Herculano, Camilo Castelo Branco, Ramalho Ortigão, Gonçalves Crespo, Albel Manta and António Quadros" [Ibid.]


Press and Popular Neighborhood
"The press also settled in the space of the current Parish, occupying vacant palaces. Newspapers such as the Diário de Notícias, The Lisbon Revolution, The World and The Century thus enlivened the neighborhood's nightlife, which became increasingly accessible with the new elevators" [CM da Misericórdia].

Summary of Misericórdia Tourist Attractions

Among the attractions of its rich and varied historical and religious heritage, the following stand out:

• the Bairro Alto

• Cais do Sodre

• the Miradouro of São Pedro de Alcântara

• the Miradouro de Santa Catarina

• Luís de Camões Square

• the Glória and Bica Elevators


Learn more: Tourist attractions in Parish of Misericórdia, Lisbon

The must-see Parish of Mercy

As a traditional historic neighborhood, Bairro Alto dates back to the 16th century, the main options for activities are bars and restaurants, walks in the squares, shopping and visiting the main tourist attractions.
Learn more: The Best of Parish of Misericórdia

Important urban roads

In addition to two metro stations (Rossio and Praça do Comércio stations), large avenues and streets pass by Misericórdia, as Avenida da Ribeira das Naus, Avenida de Brasília, Avenida 24 de Julho, Praça das Flores, among others.

+ Information

• Address/Address: Largo Dr. António de Sousa Macedo 7-d
• Telephone: 213 929 800
• Official Link: JF de Misericórdia

Lisbon Region

For those who stay a little longer, discovering the surroundings and the Greater Lisbon is also an unmissable program.

• Cascais
• Estoril
• Sintra
• Caldas da Rainha
• Alcobaça
• Batalha
• Fátima
• Arrábida
• Óbidos
• Oeiras
• Mafra
• Setúbal
• Tomar
• Nazaré
• Peniche
• Torres Vedras