Memories - The chapel of Saint John the Baptist of the Church of Saint Roch, Lisbon

The Chapel of St. John the Baptist of the Church of São Roque is a unique monument in the global artistic, cultural, and political context. It was commissioned in Rome by King John V to assert Portugal's prominence as a leading power in the diplomatic arena. Fortunately, it survived the 1755 earthquake and the fierce fire that followed.
At a time when Lisbon was in ruins, distinguished foreign visitors visited the Church of São Roque, becoming absolutely fascinated by its interior. In the present essay, Dom João V's vision of Rome: The Chapel of St. John the Baptist and its Legacy, historian Angela Delaforce gathers a collection of memories and testimonies from foreign visitors who, upon visiting the Church of São Roque between 1750 and 1968, were absolutely captivated by its interior. This edition introduces the revered writers, poets, architects, historians, art critics, politicians, military personnel, and nobles of the Royal House, highlighting the exceptional character of the Church of São Roque and the Chapel of St. John the Baptist as the ultimate and most beautiful work of the magnanimous king.

Acknowledgments:
Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva Foundation
Rome – Capitol Superintendency for Cultural Heritage – Museum of Rome
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 and 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 Core/ Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa – Fig. 17 Museum of São Roque – Fig. 18, 19, 20 Historical Archive/ Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa – Fig. 25, 26 Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva Foundation – Fig. 1 Rome – Capitol Superintendency for Cultural Heritage – Museum of Rome – Fig. 2 Lisbon Museum/ Lisbon City Council - EGEAC – Fig.

Illustrator: Luís Chimeno Garrido

Year of Publication: June 2020
Publisher: Editorial Center of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa
ISBN: 9789899021259 (PT), 9789899021266 (ENG)