Memories - The chapel of São João Batista in the Church of São Roque, Lisbon

The chapel of Saint John the Baptist of the Church of Saint Roch (Igreja de São Roque) is a unique monument in the artistic, cultural and political context of the world. It was commissioned in Rome by King John V of Portugal to affirm to the world Portugal's role as a leading diplomatic power. Fortunately, it survived with the Church of Saint Roch to the earthquake of 1755 and the fierce fire that followed.
At a time when Lisbon was in ruins, distinguished foreign visitors visited the Church of Saint Roch and were absolutely fascinated by its interior. In this essay, "Dom João V's vision of Rome: The Chapel of St John the Baptist and its Legacy", historian Angela Delaforce brings together a set of memories and testimonies from foreign visitors who visited the Church of Saint Roch between 1750 and 1968 and were absolutely fascinated by its interior. This edition provides the impressions of writers, poets, architects, historians, art critics, politicians, military personnel and noblemen of the Royal House, highlighting the exceptional character of the Church of Saint Roch and the Chapel of Saint John the Baptist as the ultimate and most beautiful work of the magnanimous king.

Acknowledgements:
Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva Foundation
Rome – Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali – Museo di Roma
Lisbon Museum/ Lisbon City Council - EGEAC

Coordination: Maria Margarida Montenegro and Teresa Freitas Morna
Author: Angela Delaforce

Technical Advisory: Maria do Carmo Lino Maria João Ferreira
Secretariat: Elizabete Moreno Fátima Rodrigues

Photography: Paulo Cintra & Laura Castro Caldas. © Cintra & Castro Caldas, L.da – Fig. 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 31 Audiovisual and Multimedia Center / Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa – Fig. 17 São Roque Museum – Fig. 18, 19, 20 Historical Archive/ Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa – Fig. 25, 26 Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva Foundation – Fig. 1 Rome – Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali – Museo di Roma – Fig. 2 Lisbon Museum/ Lisbon City Council - EGEAC – Fig. 5, 27 National Library of Portugal – Fig. 30

Illustrator: Luís Chimeno Garrido

Year of publication: June 2020
Editor: Editorial Center of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa
ISBN: 9789899021259 (PT), 9789899021266 (ING)