Beato, Lisbon

Beato
Civil parish
Clockwise: the Teatro Ibérico; Bordalo II sculpture; Mural; Historical building; Convento do Grilo; Xabregas Viaduct
Coat of arms
Coordinates: 38.735°N 9.106°W / 38.735; -9.106
Country	Portugal
Region	Lisbon
Metropolitan area	Lisbon
District	Lisbon
Municipality	Lisbon
Area
• Total	2.46 km2 (0.95 sq mi)
Population  (2021)
• Total	12,183
• Density	5,000/km2 (13,000/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+00:00 (WET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+01:00 (WEST)
Website	http://www.jf-beato.pt/

Beato (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈbjatu]) is a freguesia (civil parish) and district of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. Located in eastern Lisbon, Beato is to the west of Penha de França and south of Marvila and Areeiro. The population in 2021 was 12,183.

History

The parish of Beato encompasses various locales stretching from Alameda do Beato to the encosta da Picheleira (lit. Picheleira slope), traversing Xabregas and the Vale de Chelas – areas steeped in history, notably Chelas and Xabregas, although the available information on the Paróquia de S. Bartolomeu (Parish of St. Bartholomew - of Beato), which would later give rise to Beato, is not very abundant, at least until the 18th century.

The origins of Chelas are enveloped in legends, yet the true significance of the term remains uncertain. Although some historians ascribe a Latin etymology (planella chaela, lit. small plain) to it.

Concerning Xabregas, historical toponymy has failed to provide a definitive elucidation. Owing to its proximity to the Tagus River, some associate the name with "Xavega" (from the Arabic "xabaka"), a form of fishing net. Additionally, the name Xabregas might be linked to the existence of a Roman settlement called Axabrica, considering the remnants found in the vicinity.

Following the conquest of Lisbon and its environs in 1147, the king bestowed numerous land grants upon military orders, religious entities, and nobility. In 1149 and 1150, the lands of Marvila, encompassing part of the present Beato district, were gifted to the Bishop and the Chapter of the Lisbon Cathedral.

The region currently constituting the Beato district was characterized by vineyards, olive groves, and almshouses in the early 13th century. The 1220 inquiries disclosed major landholders in the vicinity, including the Order of Santiago (vineyard in Chelas), the Monastery of Santa Cruz de Coimbra (vineyard and olive grove in Concha), and the Templars (vineyards, olive groves, and almshouses in Xabregas and Concha). In the mid-13th century, King Afonso III purportedly commissioned the construction of a palace in Xabregas, the Royal Palace of Xabregas, presently housing the Convent of Xabregas. It is nowadays transformed into the Institute of Employment and Teatro Ibérico (lit. Iberian theatre). There exist references alluding to a tower and an orange grove, but in 1373, the Xabregas palace succumbed to fire, remaining in ruins until the mid-15th century.

In 1397, the parish of Santa Maria dos Olivais was established, encompassing the entire area of the current Beato.

In 1455, Queen D. Isabel bequeathed eight thousand gold crowns for the construction of a convent later known as the Convent of St. Benedict of Xabregas (Convent of Beato António), subsequently becoming the primary headquarters of the Order of St. John the Evangelist (Lóios). Around this period, the convent of Santa Maria de Xabregas, situated on the ruins of the Royal Palace, was rebuilt and completed to the west, having been abandoned after the fire 80 years earlier.

In the 16th century, Xabregas was deemed one of the most delightful locales in the Termo de Lisboa (lit. Lisbon Term, area), boasting gardens, orchards, and even a beach. King João III harbored intentions of erecting magníficos paços régios (lit. magnificent royal palaces) in the area, but the endeavor failed to progress beyond its foundations. Xabregas beach hosted jousting tournaments, bullfights, and traditional cane games.

The Parish of Santa Engrácia emerged from a division of the Parish of Santo Estêvão in 1569. The new Parish encompassed the entire Xabregas area and a large part of the area now known as the Beato.

João Carlos de Bragança, 2nd Duke of Lafões (1719-1806). An important political figure between the second half of the 18th century and the early 19th century, he continued the construction of the palace after the death of his older brother.

By 1570, Friar António da Conceição, arriving from Évora at the convent of St. Benedict of Xabregas, distinguished himself in aiding the poor and renovating the convent. Upon his demise in 1602, he earned a reputation for holiness, and the populace christened him Beato António, lending his name to the Convent of Beato António, later simplified to Beato, the current designation for the district.

In 1640, Xabregas/Beato emerged as one of the most active centers of conspiracy against Spanish rule. One of the noble conspirators was D. Gastão de Sousa Coutinho, whose palace stood near the thoroughfare still bearing his name, presently the location of Primary School No. 20 (EB n°20). In 1644, D. Gastão erected a chapel dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Restauração (lit. Our Lady of Restoration) near his palace, a structure that no longer endures. The palace boasted its private river quay, situated where the current rua da Manutenção exists, featuring remnants still observable.

In 1662, Queen D. Luísa de Gusmão withdrew to an estate between Xabregas and Marvila, described as "a very pleasant place on the Tagus River," known as Grilo. There, she founded a convent for Augustinian nuns (on the current site of Manutenção Militar - lit. Military Maintenance) and, nearly opposite, another convent for the Discalced Augustinians (Igreja de S. Bartolomeu e Recolhimento). By the century's end, there were four convents from Xabregas to Beato, and considering another four in proximity (Santa Brígida de Marvila, Chelas, Madre de Deus, and Santos-o-Novo), the presence of friars and nuns within the local populace was substantial.

During the 1755 earthquake, which caused minimal damage in the area, only the Convent of St. Francis suffered significant harm.

Given the local advancements at the time, Beato was chosen as the site to establish one of the city's parishes – the parish of St. Bartholomew. It was in fact created in 1756 with the designation of São Bartolomeu do Beato or São Bartolomeu de Xabregas, separating it from the freguesia of Santa Maria dos Olivais. As one of Lisbon's oldest parishes, St. Bartholomew had its headquarters near the Castle since 1168. Following the earthquake, it temporarily relocated to the ermida de Nossa Senhora do Rosário (lit. chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary) and later settled in the church of Beato António, also known as St. Benedict of Xabregas.

The transition of the parish from the Castle to Beato necessitated the delineation of a new territory, involving a portion of the Santa Engrácia parish and another segment taken from the Santa Maria dos Olivais parish. By the late 18th century, the parish of Beato comprised 380 households and 1,500 inhabitants. Historians, based on testimonies from chroniclers of the time, argue that the parish, as an institution, exhibited stable and lasting characteristics, and that the population maintained constant and affectionate contact with the parish throughout their lives.

View of Palácio do Grilo

In 1777, the Duke of Lafões Palace was erected, and in 1785, the initial industrial facilities were established in the Vale de Chelas – two calico printing factories.

In 1814, three textile printing factories had already taken root in the Vale de Chelas; however, the authentic metamorphosis of the rural landscape in Xabregas/Beato commenced with the dissolution of monastic orders following the liberal revolution of 1832-34.

The dissolution of the Monastic Orders led the Government to decree the transfer of the Parish to the Convent of the Franciscan Friars of Our Lady of Jesus in Xabregas, where the Tobacco Company would later be established. However, the change did not materialize due to opposition from the people, as the temple was in poor condition due to profanations and looting during the liberal uprisings. Consequently, the Government had to backtrack, and finally, in November 1835, the Parish was established at the Convento de Nossa Senhora da Conceição do Monte Olivete (lit. Convent of Our Lady of Conception of Mount Olivet). Later, the convent was sold to various individuals, one of them being João de Brito, an industrialist who established a biscuit factory and cereal milling. The factory would later give rise to the Companhia Industrial Portugal e Colónias (lit. Industrial Company Portugal and Colonies).

The initial significant industrial entities were established within religious buildings or palaces. The Companhia de Fiação e Tecidos Lisbonense (lit. Lisbon Textile Spinning Company) was the pioneering factory to set up shop in Xabregas, taking residence in the Convent of St. Francis of Xabregas.

In 1835, the Convent of Grilos, devoid of friars, accommodated the Recolhimento de Nossa Senhora do Amparo, which had relocated from Mouraria. The church subsequently became the parish headquarters of St. Bartholomew of Beato in 1836, transferring from the nearby Convent of Beato António. Despite the swift transformations underway, this area remained a delightful space and continued to be a favored destination for Sunday strolls among the people of Lisbon.

In 1852, new city limits were defined, and the Estrada da Circunvalação de Lisboa (lit. Circumvalation Road) was constructed, placing the Beato parish outside the city boundaries. Simultaneously, the municipality of Olivais was established, and the Beato parish was integrated into it until 1886.

Atlas of the topographic map of Lisbon, Filipe Folque 1856-1858

The inauguration of the railway in 1856 marked a significant event on multiple fronts, not only for the revitalization of industry but also for the alteration of the local landscape, achieved through the removal of barriers and the construction of infrastructures such as the Viaduto de Xabregas(originally designed in iron by engineers John Sutherland and Valentine C.L. in 1834, later replaced with concrete and masonry in 1954).

Another historical milestone occurred in 1854 with the establishment of the Fábrica de Fiação de Xabregas (lit. Xabregas Spinning Factory), owned by foreigners, which commenced operations in 1858 after incorporating as the Companhia do Fabrico de Algodões (lit. Cotton Manufacturing Company). As an initiative of the factory owners, the first workers' villages in Xabregas were constructed in 1867 and 1877. In 1888, two larger villages, Vila Flamiano (initially designated for masters and foremen) and Vila Dias (for workers), were built. A total of 106 houses were constructed in the workers' neighborhood of the Cotton Manufacturing Company.

Equally significant was the founding of the Fábrica de Fiação de Tecidos Oriental (lit. Oriental Fabric Spinning Factory) in 1888 on Xabregas Street (now housing a shopping center), employing 425 workers. Warehouses and drugstores existed on rua de Xabregas (Xabregas Street) and rua do Grilo (Grilo Street). In the late 19th century, between 800 to 1,000 workers were employed in the factories of Xabregas, giving rise to a strong associative movement, including the establishment of the cooperative "A Xabreguense" in 1903 (Beco dos Toucinheiros) and the Cooperativa Operária Oriental (lit. Oriental Cooperative Operative, in Largo de Dom Gastão). Fears of a workers' revolt, stemming from previous strikes and struggles by workers in various factories in the area, led to the establishment of a police station in Vila Dias.

In 1896, the Cozinhas Económicas (lit. economic kitchens) were inaugurated on rua de Xabregas, 44, ensuring a minimum of sustenance for many working-class families facing challenging living, working, and housing conditions.

By the year 1900, Beato had 2,215 households and 10,398 inhabitants.

Due to the demographic explosion of the parish, in 1918 the new parish of Penha de França was created. The parish had a population of 12,555 according to the 1920 census.

Later, in 1922, fiscal barriers at the city entrance were abolished, and in 1925, the third phase of the construction of the Port of Lisbon commenced. At that time, the area was described as a "bustling industrial hub, resonating with activity, factories, workshops, warehouses, docks, railways, a vibrant life that central Lisbon only perceives when passing by tram under the train viaduct, indifferent to its existence".

In 1933, in Vila Maria Luísa, there was a primary school for boys (Primary School No. 20), and aspirations for the parish included facilities such as a girls' school, a public bathhouse, a market, and infrastructure such as lighting, water supply, and sewage.

In the early 1940s, the construction of the Madre de Deus social housing project began, the Avenida Infante Dom Henrique (lit. Prince Henry the Navigator avenue) was opened, and the Port of Lisbon Improvement Plan was initiated.

In the 1950s, the Mercado de Xabregas (lit. Xabregas Market) was inaugurated, and the parish underwent administrative restructuring in 1959, establishing boundaries practically identical to the current ones.

In 1965, the initial urbanization plan for Chelas envisioned transforming the industrial area of Vale de Chelas into an urbanized space. However, by the 1970s, the locale's image was described as a desolate "factory graveyard," a portrayal that still defines the landscape today.

Landmarks

Bordalo II frog sculpture

Mural in Xabregas

• Bordalo II monkey sculpture: Installation by Bordalo II created in 2017
• Bordalo II frog sculpture: Installation by Bordalo II created in 2017
• Convento de São Francisco de Xabregas: Today hosting Teatro Ibérico, also known as Convento de Santa Maria de Jesus. It previously hosted the Paço Real de D. Afonso III since the XIII century (Paço Real de Enxobregas)
• CNE Museum: Portuguese scouting museum
• "E entre gente remota edificaram" statue: Monument inaugurated in 1991
• Former convent of Beato António: convent dating from the 15th century. It is also known as "Convento do Beato" or "Convento de São Bento de Xabregas"
• Igreja e antigo Convento do Grilo: Church and convent dating from 1663. From 1897 onwards, the entire convent area was adapted for the installation of a food industry but it still retains its antique chapel as well as Baroque details and azulejos from the 18th century
• Igreja Paroquial do Espírito Santo: Catholich church
• Palacio do Grilo (also known as Palácio dos Duques de Lafões): Building dating from the 18th century predominantly in Neoclassic style. In the Calçada do Duque de Lafões.ù
• Palácio dos Marqueses de Olhão or Palácio Xabregas: where some of the heroes of the Revolution of 1640, which restored National Independence and broke Castilian rule, once gathered.

Headquarters and Branches of the Parish Council (Junta de Freguesia)

• Headquarters - Rua de Xabregas, 67 – 1º
• Picheleira service center (Polo de atendimento da Picheleira) - Rua Eng. Maciel Chaves - Mercado Alfacinha

Streets

The parish has 97 streets administered by the city council. They are:

• Alameda do Beato
• Avenida Carlos Pinhão
• Avenida Infante Dom Henrique (Lisboa)
• Avenida Marechal Francisco da Costa Gomes
• Azinhaga da Bruxa
• Azinhaga da Salgada
• Azinhaga do Carrascal
• Azinhaga do Planeta
• Beco da Amorosa
• Beco do Grilo
• Beco dos Toucinheiros
• Calçada da Picheleira
• Calçada de Dom Gastão
• Calçada de Santa Catarina a Chelas
• Calçada do Carrascal
• Calçada do Duque de Lafões
• Calçada do Grilo
• Calçada do Olival
• Calçada do Teixeira
• Escadinhas de Dom Gastão
• Estrada de Chelas
• Estrada de Marvila
• Largo Coronel Mata Pereira
• Largo Coronel Vasconcelos Dias
• Largo da Fábrica de Fiação de Xabregas
• Largo da Fábrica de Tecidos Oriental
• Largo da Madre de Deus
• Largo do Marquês de Nisa
• Largo do Olival
• Largo Honório Barreto
• Praça Manuel Cerveira Pereira
• Praça Sócrates da Costa
• Rotunda das Olaias
• Rua Actor Augusto de Melo
• Rua Almirante Sarmento Rodrigues
• Rua Alves Paiva Fragoso
• Rua António Joaquim Anselmo
• Rua Aquiles Machado
• Rua Capitão Roby
• Rua Carlos Botelho
• Rua Carlos José Caldeira
• Rua Celestino Alves
• Rua D. Tomás de Melo Breyner
• Rua da Fábrica das Moagens
• Rua da Fábrica de Estamparia
• Rua da Fábrica de Tecidos Lisbonenses
• Rua da Manutenção
• Rua da Margem
• Rua da Quinta da Aduela
• Rua da Quinta dos Ourives
• Rua de Cima de Chelas
• Rua de Olivença
• Rua de Silveira Peixoto
• Rua de Xabregas
• Rua do Beato
• Rua do Grilo
• Rua do Sol a Chelas
• Rua Dom Francisco D'Eça
• Rua Dom José de Bragança
• Rua Dom Luís Coutinho
• Rua Doutor Faria de Vasconcelos
• Rua Dr. Manuel Espírito Santo
• Rua Engenheiro Maciel Chaves
• Rua Faustino José Rodrigues
• Rua Frederico Perry Vidal
• Rua Frei Fortunato de São Boaventura
• Rua General Vassalo e Silva
• Rua Gualdim Pais
• Rua João do Nascimento Costa
• Rua José Alves ao Grilo
• Rua José António Lopes
• Rua José da Bateira
• Rua José Leilote
• Rua José Relvas
• Rua José Rodrigues
• Rua Lino Helder
• Rua Luís Barbosa
• Rua Luís Cadote
• Rua Luís Gonzaga Pereira
• Rua Manuel José da Silva
• Rua Marquês de Olhão
• Rua Miguel de Oliveira
• Rua Nicolau Tolentino
• Rua Nova do Grilo
• Rua Professor Mira Fernandes
• Rua Rocha Santos
• Rua Simões Telhadas
• Rua Vasco de Mendonça Alves
• Rua Vicente Ribeiro
• Travessa da Alameda do Beato
• Travessa da Amorosa
• Travessa da Ilha do Grilo
• Travessa da Manutenção
• Travessa da Picheleira
• Travessa do Fragoso
• Travessa do Grilo
• Travessa do Olival ao Beato

Gallery

Xabregas viaduct, 1938	Locomotive passing through the Xabregas Viaduct, 2008	Academy room in Palácio do Grilo	Venus room in Palácio do Grilo	Glasses room in Palácio do Grilo
Azulejos in Palácio do Grilo	Mural painting in the Academia Room by Cyrillo Volkmar Machado	Side facades of the garden of Palácio do Grilo	Chapel in Palácio do Grilo	Chinese room in Palácio do Grilo
View of Xabregas viaduct