The Faces of the Chapel of St John the Baptist
Os Rostos da Capela de São João Batista
Other Free entry
Saturday 7 November
A cycle of guided tours at the Igreja de São Roque revealing the protagonists behind the Chapel of St John the Baptist, a masterpiece of D. João V's reign — from ambassador Manuel Pereira de Sampaio to cardinal-patriarch D. Tomás de Almeida.
The Chapel of St John the Baptist, in the Igreja de São Roque, is one of the greatest symbols of the artistic and diplomatic splendour of the reign of D. João V, the monarch who aspired to place Portugal at the centre of European culture. This cycle of guided tours reveals the protagonists who made this masterpiece possible. Besides the Magnanimous majesty himself, the standout figures include Manuel Pereira de Sampaio, ambassador to the Holy See, who coordinated the execution and transport of the chapel; Tomás de Almeida, cardinal-patriarch and close advisor to the king; Alexandre de Gusmão, diplomat and strategist who consolidated the Portuguese position in Rome; Frederico Ludovice, the great architect in charge of the work in Portugal; and Giovanni Battista Carbone, the Jesuit scientist priest, who ensured the theological and symbolic dimension of the project. 20 May, Manuel Pereira Sampaio, The Ambassador. 24 July, Alexandre Gusmão, The Diplomat. 25 September, Giovanni Battista Carbone, The Scientist Priest. 7 November, D. Tomás de Almeida, The Cardinal-Patriarch. Advance booking required. Free participation. 213 235 449 | [email protected]. Free.