As a landmark of contemporary religious architecture in Portugal, the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus stands in contrast to traditional models, representing a work free from historicist stigmas. Resulting from a design competition organized in 1960, the church is notable for its civic dimension, urban role, and its anti-monumental and social significance. Integrated into the regular grid of the Avenidas Novas neighborhood, this example of the Movement for the Renewal of Sacred Art is part of a larger parish complex that often goes unnoticed by passersby. Its external street creates an unexpected public space, inviting people to enter and engage in a courtyard where architecture and the city merge. Finely crafted in terms of spatiality, detail, and light, the church holds many surprises for those who venture inside.
These unique characteristics led to the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus featuring in the 13th edition of the Open House Lisboa festival, titled "Hybrid Projects for Transitional Spaces." Part of the Open House Europe 2024 program, this event offered free visits to 74 sites, showcasing the transformations Lisbon has experienced over time.
