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Coordinates: 38°40′43″N 9°10′17″W / 38.67861°N 9.17134°W / 38.67861; -9.17134
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| name = Sanctuary of Christ the King
| name = Sanctuary of Christ the King
| fullname =
| fullname =
| other name = Sanctuary of Christ the King
| other name = National Shrine of Christ the King
| native_name = ''Santuário de Cristo Rei''
| native_name = ''Santuário de Cristo Rei''
| image = Francisco Franco Cristo Rei Lisboa 2 (cropped).jpg
| image = Francisco Franco Cristo Rei Lisboa 2.jpg
| image_size = 285
| image_size = 285
| caption = The outstretched arms of the Christ the King sanctuary, projected towards the city of [[Lisbon]].
| caption = The outstretched arms of the Christ the King sanctuary, projected towards the city of [[Lisbon]]
<!-- Map & Location -->
<!-- Map & Location -->
| pushpin map =
| pushpin map =
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| relief =
| relief =
| map caption = Location of the Christ the King monument within the municipality of Almada
| map caption = Location of the Christ the King monument within the municipality of Almada
| coordinates = {{coord|38|40|42.89|N|9|10|16.80|W|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|38.67861|-9.17134|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| location = [[Setúbal District|Setúbal]], [[Grande Lisboa|Greater Lisbon]], [[Lisboa Region|Lisbon]]
| location = [[Almada]], Setúbal District
| country = [[Portugal]]
| country = [[Portugal]]
<!-- Stats -->
<!-- Stats -->
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| width = {{convert|25|m|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|25|m|abbr=on}}
| dedication = National tribute to the [[Sacred Heart]]
| dedication = National tribute to the [[Sacred Heart]]
| diocese = Diocese of Setúbal
| diocese = [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Setúbal|Diocese of Setúbal]]
| denomination =
| denomination =
| years built =
| years built =
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| website = http://www.cristorei.pt/
| website = http://www.cristorei.pt/
}}
}}

The '''Sanctuary of Christ the King'''<ref>[http://www.cristorei.pt/aboutus.aspx Sanctuary of Christ the King] in the Shrine Official Website.</ref><ref>''Lisbon: Art and History'' (English version) by Casa Editrice Bonechi (Italy)</ref><ref>''Footloose Pilgrims - a journal of moped travels through Europe'' by Dick Lynam & Bill Lynam. First Edition, 2014. (U.S.A.)</ref> ({{lang-pt|Santuário de Cristo Rei}}) is a [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] monument and shrine dedicated to the [[Sacred Heart]] of [[Jesus Christ]] overlooking the city of [[Lisbon]] situated in [[Almada]], in [[Portugal]]. It was inspired by the ''[[Christ the Redeemer (statue)|Christ the Redeemer]]'' statue of [[Rio de Janeiro]], in [[Brazil]], after the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon visited that monument. The project was inaugurated on 17 May 1959, while Portugal was ruled by the authoritarian [[President of the Council of Ministers]] [[António de Oliveira Salazar]] who gave his final permission for the project. The giant statue in cement was erected to express gratitude because the Portuguese were spared the effects of [[World War II]].
The '''Sanctuary of Christ the King'''<ref>[http://www.cristorei.pt/aboutus.aspx Sanctuary of Christ the King] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211123356/http://www.cristorei.pt/aboutus.aspx |date=11 February 2012 }} in the Shrine Official Website.</ref><ref>''Lisbon: Art and History'' (English version) by Casa Editrice Bonechi (Italy)</ref><ref>''Footloose Pilgrims - a journal of moped travels through Europe'' by Dick Lynam & Bill Lynam. First Edition, 2014. (U.S.A.)</ref> ({{langx|pt|Santuário de Cristo Rei}}) is a [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] monument and shrine dedicated to the [[Sacred Heart]] of [[Jesus Christ]] overlooking the city of [[Lisbon]] situated in [[Almada]], in [[Portugal]]. It was inspired by the ''[[Christ the Redeemer (statue)|Christ the Redeemer]]'' statue of [[Rio de Janeiro]], in [[Brazil]], after the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon visited that monument. The project was inaugurated on 17 May 1959. The giant statue was erected to express gratitude because the Portuguese were spared the direct destructive effects of [[World War II]].


==History==
==History==
[[File:Ponte 25 de Abril (25th of April Bridge), The Cristo-Rei statue (side view). Lisbon, Portugal, Southwestern Europe.jpg|thumb|left|View from the [[25 de Abril Bridge]].]]
[[File:Ponte 25 de Abril (25th of April Bridge), The Cristo-Rei statue (side view). Lisbon, Portugal, Southwestern Europe.jpg|thumb|left|View from the [[25 de Abril Bridge]]]]

The construction of the Christ the King monument was approved in a Portuguese [[Episcopate#Roman Catholic Church|Episcopate]] conference, held in [[Fátima, Portugal|Fátima]] on 20 April 1940, as a plea to God to release Portugal from entering [[World War II]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cristorei.pt/aboutus.aspx |location=Almada, Portugal |language=Portuguese|title=História do Santuário Nacional de Cristo Rei |accessdate=9 January 2012 |year=2011 |publisher=Diocese of Setúbal}}</ref> However, the idea had originated earlier on a visit of the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro in 1934, soon after the inauguration of the statue of ''[[Christ the Redeemer (statue)|Christ the Redeemer]]'' in 1931.<ref name="CRHistoria">{{cite web|url=http://www.cristorei.pt/aboutus.aspx |location=Almada, Portugal |language=Portuguese|title=História do Santuário Nacional de Cristo Rei |accessdate=9 January 2012 |year=2011 |publisher=Diocese of Setúbal}}</ref><ref name="SIPA">{{cite web |url=http://www.monumentos.pt/Site/APP_PagesUser/SIPA.aspx?id=10276 |title=Cristo Rei |publisher=SIPA –Sistema de Informação para o Património Arquitectónico |editor=SIPA |location=Lisbon, Portugal |language=Portuguese |first=Albertina |last=Belo |first2=Cecília |last2=Matias |year=2008 |accessdate=9 January 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107051748/http://www.monumentos.pt/Site/APP_PagesUser/SIPA.aspx?id=10276 |archivedate=7 November 2013 |df= }}</ref>
The construction of the Christ the King monument was approved in a Portuguese [[Episcopate#Roman Catholic Church|Episcopate]] conference, held in [[Fátima, Portugal|Fatima]] on 20 April 1940, as a plea to God to release Portugal from entering [[World War II]] and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the [[Mary of the Divine Heart#Consecration of the World to the Sacred Heart of Jesus|act of consecration of the world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cristorei.pt/aboutus.aspx |location=Almada, Portugal |language=pt |title=História do Santuário Nacional de Cristo Rei |access-date=9 January 2012 |year=2011 |publisher=Diocese of Setúbal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211123356/http://www.cristorei.pt/aboutus.aspx |archive-date=11 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, the idea had originated earlier on a visit of the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro in 1934, soon after the inauguration of the statue of ''[[Christ the Redeemer (statue)|Christ the Redeemer]]'' in 1931.<ref name="CRHistoria">{{cite web |url=http://www.cristorei.pt/aboutus.aspx |location=Almada, Portugal |language=pt |title=História do Santuário Nacional de Cristo Rei |access-date=9 January 2012 |year=2011 |publisher=Diocese of Setúbal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211123356/http://www.cristorei.pt/aboutus.aspx |archive-date=11 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="SIPA">{{cite web |url=http://www.monumentos.pt/Site/APP_PagesUser/SIPA.aspx?id=10276 |title=Cristo Rei |publisher=SIPA –Sistema de Informação para o Património Arquitectónico |editor=SIPA |location=Lisbon, Portugal |language=pt |first=Albertina |last=Belo |first2=Cecília |last2=Matias |year=2008 |access-date=9 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107051748/http://www.monumentos.pt/Site/APP_PagesUser/SIPA.aspx?id=10276 |archive-date=7 November 2013 }}</ref>
[[File:Christo Rei and Ponte 25 de Abril (8969897362) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|View of Cristo-Rei with the [[Tagus River]] in the foreground and [[Almada]] in the background.]]

In 1941 the land which was used to construct the monument was acquired.<ref name=CRHistoria/> In 1949 the cornerstone was finally placed on the site, and managed by the Portuguese Episcopate.<ref name=CRHistoria/><ref name=SIPA/> Construction began in 1949 and took ten years to complete, funded and supported by [[Apostleship of Prayer]] members.<ref name=CRHistoria/> Yet it was only in 1952 that the first construction started on the site; at that time the foundations of the monument were established by ''Empresa de Construções OPCA'' (at the time, at a cost of 3.020 contos).<ref name=SIPA/>
[[File:Christo Rei and Ponte 25 de Abril (8969897362) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|View of Christ the King monument with the [[Tagus River]] in the foreground and [[Almada]] in the background]]

In 1941 the land which was used to construct the monument was acquired.<ref name=CRHistoria/> In 1949 the cornerstone was finally placed on the site, and managed by the Portuguese Episcopate.<ref name=CRHistoria/><ref name=SIPA/> Construction began in 1949 and took ten years to complete, funded and supported by [[Apostleship of Prayer]] members.<ref name=CRHistoria/> Yet it was only in 1952 that the first construction started on the site; at that time the foundations of the monument were established by ''Empresa de Construções OPCA''. The final cost of the complex was of twenty million [[Portuguese escudo|escudos]] (20&nbsp;059&nbsp;258$40).<ref name=SIPA />


The inauguration of the complex officially began on 17 May 1959, and continued throughout the 20th century. On the 25th anniversary of the Shrine in 1984, the Chapel of Our Lady of Peace was first inaugurated.<ref name=CRHistoria/><ref name=SIPA/> A new plan was approved to recondition the grounds of the Shrine (under the direction of Luiz Cunha and Domingos Ávila Gomes) and also to build a ''Sanctuary'', which included a rectory, a chapel, administration and meeting halls and exhibition galleries.<ref name=CRHistoria/><ref name=SIPA/>
The inauguration of the complex officially began on 17 May 1959, and continued throughout the 20th century. On the 25th anniversary of the Shrine in 1984, the Chapel of Our Lady of Peace was first inaugurated.<ref name=CRHistoria/><ref name=SIPA/> A new plan was approved to recondition the grounds of the Shrine (under the direction of Luiz Cunha and Domingos Ávila Gomes) and also to build a ''Sanctuary'', which included a rectory, a chapel, administration and meeting halls and exhibition galleries.<ref name=CRHistoria/><ref name=SIPA/>


When Pope Paul VI created the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Setúbal]] on July 16 1975, under the [[Papal bull]] ''Studentes Nos'', the Monument of Christ the King and the Seminary of Almada were still under the control of the Patriarchate of Lisbon.<ref name=CRHistoria/> In June 1999 the site came under the authority of the Diocese of Setúbal, which immediately started to restore the monument.<ref name=CRHistoria/> The municipal authority was responsible for public works, beginning in May 2001 to clean the area and reorganize the public spaces, under technical supervision of the School of Sciences and Technology of the [[Universidade Nova de Lisboa|Nova University of Lisbon]].<ref name=SIPA/> Following the restoration projects, the monument was reopened in a solemn ceremony on 1 February 2001. Due to its national importance, the Conference of Bishops determined that funds collected throughout the country on 23 November 2003 would be used for the restoration.
When Pope Paul VI created the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Setúbal |Diocese of Setúbal]] on 16 July 1975, by means of the [[Papal bull]] ''Studentes Nos'', the Monument of Christ the King and the Seminary of Almada remained under the control of the Patriarchate of Lisbon.<ref name=CRHistoria/> In June 1999 the site passed under the authority of the Diocese of Setúbal, which immediately started to restore the monument.<ref name=CRHistoria/> The municipal authority was responsible for public works, beginning in May 2001 to clean the area and reorganize the public spaces, under technical supervision of the School of Sciences and Technology of the [[Universidade Nova de Lisboa|Nova University of Lisbon]].<ref name=SIPA/> Following the restoration projects, the monument was reopened in a solemn ceremony on 1 February 2001. Due to its national importance, the Conference of Bishops determined that funds collected throughout the country on 23 November 2003 would be used for the restoration.


[[File:Il revient ! (49877607332).jpg|thumb|left|Christ the King view from [[Lisbon]]]]
In order to support pilgrimage to the site, in June 2004 new spaces in the Sanctuary building were inaugurated, including a dining room for 150 people and two segregated dormitories.<ref name=CRHistoria/><ref name=SIPA/> This was followed on 17 May 2005, with the inauguration of a 150-person dining area and 80-person meeting hall, in addition to two segregated dormitories, dining room and kitchen.<ref name=CRHistoria/>
In order to support pilgrimage to the site, in June 2004 new spaces in the Sanctuary building were inaugurated, including a dining room for 150 people and two segregated dormitories.<ref name=CRHistoria/><ref name=SIPA/> This was followed on 17 May 2005 by the inauguration of a 150-person dining area and 80-person meeting hall, in addition to two segregated dormitories, dining room and kitchen.<ref name=CRHistoria/>


Improvements to the monument and sanctuary of Christ the King began in 2006.<ref name=SIPA/> By 17 May of that year, the Chapel of Our Lady of Peace was inaugurated, under the supervision of architect João de Sousa Araújo.<ref name=CRHistoria/> In the following year (17 May 2007), the Pope John XXIII hall was opened, containing eight oil paintings of the same architect, among them images from the encyclical ''Pax in Terris'' and a statue of the ''Angel of Portugal''.<ref name=CRHistoria/> Similarly, the old high cross from the [[Sanctuary of Fátima|Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima]] was donated to the Sanctuary of Christ the King, and unveiled on the same day.<ref name=CRHistoria/> On 25 November 2005, the newly remodeled main [[sacristy]] in the monument's chapel, that featured the original statue of the monument by sculptor Francisco Franco, was reopened.<ref name=CRHistoria/>
Improvements to the monument and sanctuary of Christ the King began in 2006.<ref name=SIPA/> By 17 May of that year, the Chapel of Our Lady of Peace was inaugurated, under the supervision of architect João de Sousa Araújo.<ref name=CRHistoria/> In the following year (17 May 2007), the Pope John XXIII hall was opened, containing eight oil paintings by the same architect, among them images from the encyclical ''Pax in Terris'' and a statue of the ''Angel of Portugal''.<ref name=CRHistoria/> Similarly, the old high cross from the [[Sanctuary of Fátima|Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima]] was donated to the Sanctuary of Christ the King, and unveiled on the same day.<ref name=CRHistoria/> On 25 November 2005, the newly remodeled main [[sacristy]] in the monument's chapel was reopened. It features the original statue from the monument by sculptor Francisco Franco.<ref name=CRHistoria/>


On 17 May 2008, the Chapel of the Confidants of the Heart of Jesus, containing valuable reliquaries of [[Margaret Mary Alacoque|Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque]], [[John Eudes|Saint John Eudes]], [[Faustina Kowalska|Saint Faustina Kowalska]] and [[Mary of the Divine Heart|Blessed Mary of the Divine Heart Droste zu Vischering]] was opened, along with the [[Ten Commandments]] in bronze, which were placed on the main face of the monument.<ref name=CRHistoria/>
On 17 May 2008, the Chapel of the Confidants in the Heart of Jesus, containing precious reliquaries of St [[Margaret Mary Alacoque]], St [[John Eudes]], St [[Faustina Kowalska]] and Blessed [[Mary of the Divine Heart]] was inaugurated, along with the [[Ten Commandments]] in bronze, which were placed on the main face of the monument.<ref name=CRHistoria/>


The inauguration of the ''Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament'' (6 January 2009) witnessed the presentation of two paintings related of the revelations made by Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque and another, which was placed above the tabernacle.<ref name=CRHistoria/>
The inauguration of the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament (6 January 2009) witnessed the presentation of two paintings related to the revelations made by Margaret Mary Alacoque and another, which was placed above the tabernacle.<ref name=CRHistoria/>


[[Pope Benedict XVI]] over flew the shrine on the occasion of his apostolic visit to [[Portugal]] in May 2010.
[[Pope Benedict XVI]] over flew the shrine on the occasion of his apostolic visit to [[Portugal]] in May 2010.

===Porsche controversy===
In summer 2023, carmaker [[Porsche]] controversially [[photograph manipulation|digitally removed]] the statue from footage of Lisbon in their advertisement, with the statue's base still visible. In response to the controversy, Porsche apologized and pulled the advertisement, later replacing it with one that retained the original footage which depicted the Christ the King statue.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bandt.com.au/horrible-ridiculous-shameful-porsche-forced-to-apologise-after-editing-jesus-out-of-new-911-ad/|title=Porsche Forced to Apologise after Editing Jesus out of New 911 Ad|work=Bandt.com.au|accessdate=7 August 2023|date=7 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/porsche-edits-jesus-statue-back-after-being-removed|title=Porsche edits Jesus statue back in ad after being removed|accessdate=7 August 2023|date=7 August 2023|work=Washington Examiner|last=Notheis|first=Asher}}</ref>


==Architecture==
==Architecture==
[[File:Cristo Rei (36211699613).jpg|thumb|left|Christ the King aerial view.]]
[[File:Cristo Rei (36211699613).jpg|thumb|left|Christ the King aerial view]]
[[File:Cristo-Rei 2 (Almada) 2009.jpg|thumb|right|Sanctuary of Christ the King.]]
[[File:Cristo-Rei 2 (Almada) 2009.jpg|thumb|right|Sanctuary of Christ the King]]
[[File:25 de Abril Bridge (36211704453).jpg|thumb|right|View from the [[Tagus River]].]]
[[File:25 de Abril Bridge (36211704453).jpg|thumb|right|View from the [[Tagus River]]]]
The monument was erected on an isolated clifftop' 133 m above the sea, overlooking the [[Tagus River]] left bank.<ref name=SIPA/> It was constructed in the parish of [[Pragal]], which was merged with the parishes of [[Almada, Cova da Piedade, Pragal e Cacilhas]] in 2013, into the municipality of [[Almada]]. It is the highest point in Almada, on a plateau dominated by the [[25 de Abril Bridge]], and close to the Estação Elevatória e Reservatório do Pragal.<ref name=SIPA/> It is accessible from Lisbon by car (over the [[25 de Abril Bridge]] east of the crossing), by train through station in [[Pragal]] and by ferry (the ''Cacilheiro'') over the [[Tagus]], through the port of [[Cacilhas]] in [[Almada]].
The monument was erected on an isolated clifftop 133 m above the sea, overlooking the [[Tagus River]] left bank.<ref name=SIPA/> It was constructed in the parish of [[Pragal]], which was merged with the parishes of [[Almada, Cova da Piedade, Pragal e Cacilhas]] in 2013, into the municipality of [[Almada]]. It is the highest point in Almada, on a plateau dominated by the [[25 de Abril Bridge]], and close to the Estação Elevatória e Reservatório do Pragal.<ref name=SIPA/> It is accessible from Lisbon by car (over the [[25 de Abril Bridge]] east of the crossing), by train through station in [[Pragal]] and by ferry (the ''Cacilheiro'') over the [[Tagus]], through the port of [[Cacilhas]] in [[Almada]].


The monument consists of a [[trapezoid]]al pedestal of {{convert|82|m|ft}} height, formed by four arches and a flat platform, supporting the {{convert|28|m|ft}} image of Christ.<ref name=SIPA/> Its base was designed by architect António Lino in the form of a gate, while the statue of ''Christ the King'' was designed by sculptor Francisco Franco de Sousa. The four arches of the pedestal are oriented in the directions of the [[compass rose]].<ref name=SIPA/> The figure of Christ, comparable to the ''[[Christ the Redeemer (statue)|Christ the Redeemer]]'' statue in [[Rio de Janeiro]], forms a cross, with its arms extended out facing the city of Lisbon, as if to embrace the city. Due to issues of security and safety, the monument was sufficiently distanced from the cliffs on which it predominates.<ref name=SIPA/>
The monument consists of a [[trapezoid]]al pedestal of {{convert|82|m|ft}} height, formed by four arches and a flat platform, supporting the {{convert|28|m|ft}} image of Christ.<ref name=SIPA/> Its base was designed by architect António Lino in the form of a gate, while the statue of ''Christ the King'' was designed by sculptor Francisco Franco de Sousa. The four arches of the pedestal are oriented in the directions of the [[compass rose]].<ref name=SIPA/> The figure of Christ, comparable to the ''[[Christ the Redeemer (statue)|Christ the Redeemer]]'' statue in [[Rio de Janeiro]], forms a cross, with its arms extended out facing the city of Lisbon, as if to embrace the city. Due to issues of security and safety, the monument was sufficiently distanced from the cliffs on which it predominates.<ref name=SIPA/>
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===Interior===
===Interior===
The interior of the monument is divided into various spaces, among them a library, a bar, two halls and the main chapel.<ref name=SIPA/> Two religious spaces were dedicated, one to the Chapel of Our Lady of Peace ({{lang-pt|Capela de Nossa Senhora da Paz}}) and the other to the Confidants of Jesus ({{lang-pt|Capela dos Confidentes de Jesus}}). There are [[relic]]s exposed for public veneration (of [[Marguerite Marie Alacoque|Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque]], [[John Eudes|Saint John Eudes]], [[Mary Faustina Kowalska|Saint Faustina Kowalska]] and [[Mary of the Divine Heart|Blessed Mary of the Divine Heart]]), relating to the revelations of the ''Sacred Heart of Jesus'').
The interior of the monument is divided into various spaces, among them a library, a bar, two halls and the main chapel.<ref name=SIPA/> Two religious spaces were dedicated, one to the Chapel of Our Lady of Peace ({{langx|pt|Capela de Nossa Senhora da Paz}}) and the other to the Confidants of [[Jesus]] ({{langx|pt|Capela dos Confidentes de Jesus}}). There are [[relic]]s exposed for public veneration (of Margaret Mary Alacoque, John Eudes, Faustina Kowalska and Mary of the Divine Heart), relating to the revelations of the ''Sacred Heart of Jesus'').


<gallery>
==References==
File:Margareta maria alacoque.jpg|{{center|[[Margaret Mary Alacoque]]}}
;Notes
File:JeanEudes.png|{{center|[[John Eudes]]}}
{{Reflist|2}}
File:200px-Faustina.jpg|{{center|[[Faustina Kowalska]]}}
;Sources
File:Maria Droste zu Vischering.jpg|{{center|[[Mary of the Divine Heart]]}}
* {{citation |title=Boletim da Ordem dos Engenheiros |publisher=Ordem dos Engenheiros |volume=1 |issue=12 |location=Lisbon, Portugal |year=1952 |pages=26 |language=Portuguese}}
</gallery>
* {{citation |title=Monumento Nacional a Cristo Rei, memória histórica 1936/1959 |publisher=Secretariado Nacional do Monumento|location=Lisbon, Portugal |year=1965 |language=Portuguese}}
* {{citation |title=O Tempo |location=Lisbon, Portugal |date=4 June 1987 |language=Portuguese}}


==See also==
==See also==
* ''[[Christ the Redeemer (statue)|Christ the Redeemer]]'', the statue on which the ''Christ the King'' statue was based; in the former [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese colony]] of [[Brazil]]
* ''[[Cristo Rei of Dili]]'', a comparable statue in the town of [[Dili]]; in the former [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese colony]] of [[East Timor]]
* ''[[Cristo Rei of Dili]]'', a comparable statue in the town of [[Dili]]; in the former [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese colony]] of [[East Timor]]
* [[List of statues of Jesus]]
* [[List of tallest statues]]
* [[List of tallest statues]]
* [[Sanctuary of Fátima|Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima]]
* [[List of Christian pilgrimage sites]]

==References==
;Notes
{{Reflist|2}}

;Sources
* {{citation |title=Boletim da Ordem dos Engenheiros |publisher=Ordem dos Engenheiros |volume=1 |issue=12 |location=Lisbon, Portugal |year=1952 |pages=26 |language=pt}}
* {{citation |title=Monumento Nacional a Cristo Rei, memória histórica 1936/1959 |publisher=Secretariado Nacional do Monumento|location=Lisbon, Portugal |year=1965 |language=pt}}
* {{citation |title=O Tempo |location=Lisbon, Portugal |date=4 June 1987 |language=pt}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commonscat|Cristo Rei|Sanctuary of Christ the King}}
{{Commonscat|Cristo Rei (Almada)}}
* [http://www.cristorei.pt/ Sanctuary of Christ the King] – Official website
* [http://www.cristorei.pt/ Sanctuary of Christ the King] – Official website


{{Lisbon landmarks}}
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Lisbon]]

[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Portugal]]
[[Category:Colossal statues of Jesus]]
[[Category:Colossal statues of Jesus]]
[[Category:Christ the King]]
[[Category:Christ the King]]
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[[Category:1959 sculptures]]
[[Category:1959 sculptures]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1959]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1959]]
[[Category:Colossal statues in Portugal]]

Latest revision as of 06:27, 28 December 2024

Sanctuary of Christ the King
National Shrine of Christ the King
Santuário de Cristo Rei
The outstretched arms of the Christ the King sanctuary, projected towards the city of Lisbon
Map
38°40′43″N 9°10′17″W / 38.67861°N 9.17134°W / 38.67861; -9.17134
LocationAlmada, Setúbal District
CountryPortugal
Websitehttp://www.cristorei.pt/
History
DedicationNational tribute to the Sacred Heart
Architecture
Architect(s)António Lino
StyleModern architecture
Specifications
Length25 m (82 ft)
Width25 m (82 ft)
Administration
DioceseDiocese of Setúbal

The Sanctuary of Christ the King[1][2][3] (Portuguese: Santuário de Cristo Rei) is a Catholic monument and shrine dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ overlooking the city of Lisbon situated in Almada, in Portugal. It was inspired by the Christ the Redeemer statue of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, after the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon visited that monument. The project was inaugurated on 17 May 1959. The giant statue was erected to express gratitude because the Portuguese were spared the direct destructive effects of World War II.

History

[edit]
View from the 25 de Abril Bridge

The construction of the Christ the King monument was approved in a Portuguese Episcopate conference, held in Fatima on 20 April 1940, as a plea to God to release Portugal from entering World War II and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the act of consecration of the world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.[4] However, the idea had originated earlier on a visit of the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro in 1934, soon after the inauguration of the statue of Christ the Redeemer in 1931.[5][6]

View of Christ the King monument with the Tagus River in the foreground and Almada in the background

In 1941 the land which was used to construct the monument was acquired.[5] In 1949 the cornerstone was finally placed on the site, and managed by the Portuguese Episcopate.[5][6] Construction began in 1949 and took ten years to complete, funded and supported by Apostleship of Prayer members.[5] Yet it was only in 1952 that the first construction started on the site; at that time the foundations of the monument were established by Empresa de Construções OPCA. The final cost of the complex was of twenty million escudos (20 059 258$40).[6]

The inauguration of the complex officially began on 17 May 1959, and continued throughout the 20th century. On the 25th anniversary of the Shrine in 1984, the Chapel of Our Lady of Peace was first inaugurated.[5][6] A new plan was approved to recondition the grounds of the Shrine (under the direction of Luiz Cunha and Domingos Ávila Gomes) and also to build a Sanctuary, which included a rectory, a chapel, administration and meeting halls and exhibition galleries.[5][6]

When Pope Paul VI created the Diocese of Setúbal on 16 July 1975, by means of the Papal bull Studentes Nos, the Monument of Christ the King and the Seminary of Almada remained under the control of the Patriarchate of Lisbon.[5] In June 1999 the site passed under the authority of the Diocese of Setúbal, which immediately started to restore the monument.[5] The municipal authority was responsible for public works, beginning in May 2001 to clean the area and reorganize the public spaces, under technical supervision of the School of Sciences and Technology of the Nova University of Lisbon.[6] Following the restoration projects, the monument was reopened in a solemn ceremony on 1 February 2001. Due to its national importance, the Conference of Bishops determined that funds collected throughout the country on 23 November 2003 would be used for the restoration.

Christ the King view from Lisbon

In order to support pilgrimage to the site, in June 2004 new spaces in the Sanctuary building were inaugurated, including a dining room for 150 people and two segregated dormitories.[5][6] This was followed on 17 May 2005 by the inauguration of a 150-person dining area and 80-person meeting hall, in addition to two segregated dormitories, dining room and kitchen.[5]

Improvements to the monument and sanctuary of Christ the King began in 2006.[6] By 17 May of that year, the Chapel of Our Lady of Peace was inaugurated, under the supervision of architect João de Sousa Araújo.[5] In the following year (17 May 2007), the Pope John XXIII hall was opened, containing eight oil paintings by the same architect, among them images from the encyclical Pax in Terris and a statue of the Angel of Portugal.[5] Similarly, the old high cross from the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima was donated to the Sanctuary of Christ the King, and unveiled on the same day.[5] On 25 November 2005, the newly remodeled main sacristy in the monument's chapel was reopened. It features the original statue from the monument by sculptor Francisco Franco.[5]

On 17 May 2008, the Chapel of the Confidants in the Heart of Jesus, containing precious reliquaries of St Margaret Mary Alacoque, St John Eudes, St Faustina Kowalska and Blessed Mary of the Divine Heart was inaugurated, along with the Ten Commandments in bronze, which were placed on the main face of the monument.[5]

The inauguration of the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament (6 January 2009) witnessed the presentation of two paintings related to the revelations made by Margaret Mary Alacoque and another, which was placed above the tabernacle.[5]

Pope Benedict XVI over flew the shrine on the occasion of his apostolic visit to Portugal in May 2010.

Porsche controversy

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In summer 2023, carmaker Porsche controversially digitally removed the statue from footage of Lisbon in their advertisement, with the statue's base still visible. In response to the controversy, Porsche apologized and pulled the advertisement, later replacing it with one that retained the original footage which depicted the Christ the King statue.[7][8]

Architecture

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Christ the King aerial view
Sanctuary of Christ the King
View from the Tagus River

The monument was erected on an isolated clifftop 133 m above the sea, overlooking the Tagus River left bank.[6] It was constructed in the parish of Pragal, which was merged with the parishes of Almada, Cova da Piedade, Pragal e Cacilhas in 2013, into the municipality of Almada. It is the highest point in Almada, on a plateau dominated by the 25 de Abril Bridge, and close to the Estação Elevatória e Reservatório do Pragal.[6] It is accessible from Lisbon by car (over the 25 de Abril Bridge east of the crossing), by train through station in Pragal and by ferry (the Cacilheiro) over the Tagus, through the port of Cacilhas in Almada.

The monument consists of a trapezoidal pedestal of 82 metres (269 ft) height, formed by four arches and a flat platform, supporting the 28 metres (92 ft) image of Christ.[6] Its base was designed by architect António Lino in the form of a gate, while the statue of Christ the King was designed by sculptor Francisco Franco de Sousa. The four arches of the pedestal are oriented in the directions of the compass rose.[6] The figure of Christ, comparable to the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, forms a cross, with its arms extended out facing the city of Lisbon, as if to embrace the city. Due to issues of security and safety, the monument was sufficiently distanced from the cliffs on which it predominates.[6]

At the base of the statue is the observation deck, at 82 metres (269 ft), which enables panoramic views of the city of Lisbon, the Tagus River and the 25 de Abril Bridge.

Under the statue, occupying a fifth of the pedestal's height is the Chapel of Our Lady of Peace (Nossa Senhora da Paz) with an entrance from the northern facade.[6] This space is distinctly different with its masonry stone, the northern facade surmounted by cross and the other facades containing narrow doors.[6] Inside two of the pillars is an elevator system with access to the terrace; the statue is 79.30 metres high, and overlooks the Tagus (192 metres above the river).[6]

To the south of the monument is the Sanctuary building, comprising a rectangular body of three wings, with facades covered with masonry brick.[6] In 1987 there was a plan to construct 18 different buildings and spaces around the monument (including a restaurant, lookouts, a commercial complex, a parking area and a sanctuary), of which only a few of these structures were built.[5] The most notable was the construction of the visitors' centre and the Sanctuary building.

Interior

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The interior of the monument is divided into various spaces, among them a library, a bar, two halls and the main chapel.[6] Two religious spaces were dedicated, one to the Chapel of Our Lady of Peace (Portuguese: Capela de Nossa Senhora da Paz) and the other to the Confidants of Jesus (Portuguese: Capela dos Confidentes de Jesus). There are relics exposed for public veneration (of Margaret Mary Alacoque, John Eudes, Faustina Kowalska and Mary of the Divine Heart), relating to the revelations of the Sacred Heart of Jesus).

See also

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References

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Notes
  1. ^ Sanctuary of Christ the King Archived 11 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine in the Shrine Official Website.
  2. ^ Lisbon: Art and History (English version) by Casa Editrice Bonechi (Italy)
  3. ^ Footloose Pilgrims - a journal of moped travels through Europe by Dick Lynam & Bill Lynam. First Edition, 2014. (U.S.A.)
  4. ^ "História do Santuário Nacional de Cristo Rei" (in Portuguese). Almada, Portugal: Diocese of Setúbal. 2011. Archived from the original on 11 February 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "História do Santuário Nacional de Cristo Rei" (in Portuguese). Almada, Portugal: Diocese of Setúbal. 2011. Archived from the original on 11 February 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Belo, Albertina; Matias, Cecília (2008). SIPA (ed.). "Cristo Rei" (in Portuguese). Lisbon, Portugal: SIPA –Sistema de Informação para o Património Arquitectónico. Archived from the original on 7 November 2013. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  7. ^ "Porsche Forced to Apologise after Editing Jesus out of New 911 Ad". Bandt.com.au. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  8. ^ Notheis, Asher (7 August 2023). "Porsche edits Jesus statue back in ad after being removed". Washington Examiner. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
Sources
  • Boletim da Ordem dos Engenheiros (in Portuguese), vol. 1, Lisbon, Portugal: Ordem dos Engenheiros, 1952, p. 26
  • Monumento Nacional a Cristo Rei, memória histórica 1936/1959 (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal: Secretariado Nacional do Monumento, 1965
  • O Tempo (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal, 4 June 1987{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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