Parish of Penha de França

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All Parishes of Lisbon

The parish of Penha de França, whose name comes from its patron saint, Nossa Senhora da Penha de França, is located in the northeast part of the central area from Lisbon. The parish was created in 1918 by the merger of the parishes of Beato, Santa Engrácia and São Jorge de Arroios.

Eighth most populous parish in Lisbon
Penha de França is the eighth most populous parish in Lisbon being also quite densely populated.





The Parish of Penha de França extends from the right bank of the River Tagus (to the southeast) to the Miradouro da Penha de França.

Located northeast of the city center of Lisbon, the Historic Center, the The parish of Penha de França, despite not being very well known, is a residential neighborhood very quiet, peaceful and safe, reasons why it is very sought after.

From the Sé de Lisboa to the parish headquarters are just 2 km, which can be covered in less than half an hour on foot.

Area and Population

Growth of the resident population
With 2.71 km², the parish of Penha de França has a population of 28,485 inhabitants (INE, 2021). In 2011, the parish had 27,967 inhabitants (idem), having seen growth in population resident during this period. See more below in "About the Parish of Penha de França".

With 10,507 inhabitants per km², Penha de França - the eighth most populous city of Lisbon - has one of the highest population densities in the Portuguese capital.

Peak of resident population
During the 1950s, the population of the parish was almost double the current population, when reached more than 48,000 inhabitants.

Tourist attractions

Highlights: Miradouro and Museu do Azulejo
In the parish of Penha de França, which is a popular and residential neighborhood, relatively quiet, in fact not yet discovered by Portuguese or foreign tourists, the highlights (in addition to other attractions, as below) are the Penha de França Viewpoint and the Tile Museum..

However, there are some other points of interest. Among the attractions for visitors, in addition to the (the Miradouro da Penha de França), the few churches, of which the Baroque Church of Nossa Senhora da Penha de França, bars and restaurants. See highlights below.

Learn more: Attractions of Penha de França

Penha de França Viewpoint

The Penha de França Viewpoint, located on Rua Marquês da Silva, a little less known than the other Lisbon viewpoints, offers an interesting and new view of the City of Lisbon. The sunset makes the Stretched to these viewpoints an unmissable visit.

Find out more: Miradouro da Penha de França

National Tile Museum

The National Tile Museum, housed in the former Convent of Madre de Deus, was founded in 1509.
In this museum, the visitor has a complete view of the history of the azulejo in Portugal, from the 15th century to the present.

"The Museu Nacional do Azulejo is one of the most important national museums, both for its unique collection, both for the distinct artistic expression of Portuguese culture and also for the unique building in which is installed, the former convent of Madre de Deus, founded in 1509 by Queen D. Leonor.

In the conventual part, you will find the Church of Madre de Deus, the greatest example of Portuguese baroque, abundantly decorated with sculptures, paintings and tiles" [Visit Lisboa].

Learn more: Museum Nacional do Azulejo da Penha de França

What to see in the Parish of Penha de França

Some of the main attractions of this popular, residential and calm parish of the City of Lisbon include its streets lively, especially at the end of the day, its streets with buildings in general with a maximum of three floors, in general well preserved.
See also: Attractions of Penha de França

Location

With the River Tagus to the southeast, the parish of Penha de França is limited to the north by a Parish of Areeiro, to the northeast and east, with Freguesia do Beato, to the west, with the Arroios Parish, and, at the south, with the São Vicente Parish.

What to do in Penha de França Parish

Walking tours and visits to the main attractions of the parish, with emphasis on the Miradouro da Penha de França.
See also: Historical Center of Lisbon

About the Parish of Penha de França

The parish of Penha de França, an essentially residential neighborhood nowadays, has its originated at the end of the 16th century.

Penha de França, due to its proximity to the center of Lisbon, offers several advantages for choose this neighborhood to live in: tranquility, security, public services and transport that facilitate the inhabitants' lives.

A bit of history

The Parish of Penha de França was created in 1918 by the merger of the parishes of Beato, Santa Engrácia and São Jorge de Arroios.

"The Parish owes its name to a hermitage in honor of Nossa Senhora da Penha de França, founded in 1598, in the where the Church of Nossa Senhora da Penha de França now stands.

In its current territory, which stretches from the Tagus River to the hill of Penha de França, for many hundreds of years, there are population centers located either on the riverside, around the convents of the Madre de Deus and Santos-o-Novo, or around the hermitage of Penha de França and, later, the convent with the same name (current General Command of the PSP).

Despite these nuclei, until the end of the century. XIX, beginning of the century. XX, the territory was eminently rural, located at the edge of Lisbon and made up of open fields, vegetable gardens, farms and summer manor houses and monasteries.

On April 13, 1918, the parish of Penha de França is created. In 1959, through an administrative reform, its territory is reduced and part of it becomes part of the parishes of São João and Alto do Pina" [JF de Penha de França].

Attractions of the Parish of Penha de França

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

• the Viewpoint of Penha de França

• the National Tile Museum

• the sunset at the viewpoint

• the Fort of Santa Apolonia

• the Monumental Fountain of Alameda D. Afonso Henriques

• the baroque Church of Nossa Senhora da Penha de França

• the Convent of Santos-o-Novo

• its lively streets at the end of the day

• bars and restaurants for different types of public

• the Market of Sapadores (Firefighters)


Learn more: Attractions of Penha de França

What to do in Penha de França Parish

As a traditional historic district, the main options for activities are bars and restaurants, walks in the squares, go shopping and visit the main tourist attractions of the Historical Center of Lisbon.

Visit the main attractions of the parish and the Palácio Diogo Cão (current headquarters of the parish), house where the famous Portuguese Navegador lived, in the old Quinta do Navegador.

Find out more: What to do in Penha de França

Important urban roads

In addition to the subway, large avenues and streets pass through Penha de França, as Avenida Afonso III, Alameda Dom Afonso Henriques, Avenida Infante Dom Henrique, Calçada Poço dos Mouros, Rua Marquês da Silva, Rua Morais Soares, among others.

+ Information

• Address/Address: Travessa do Calado, nº 2
• Telephone: 218 160 720
• Official Link: JF Penha de França
• Social networks: www.facebook/FreguesiaPenhaDeFranca/ , Instagram: @jfpenhafranca
• Contact by email: geral@jf-penhafranca.pt
• Opening hours: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday

Lisbon Region

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