Se Cathedral or Se de Lisboa - Lisbon, Portugal

I just love Se Cathedrals. It is probably the name. I tried to visit as many as possible while in Portugal. 
You will reach Se de Lisboa or Se Cathedral or simple De Se, from Av Infante Dom Henrique, in Alfama. The iconic cathedral built around 1150 AD, towers over all the other structures nearby. 
The approach road to the cathedral keeps climbing, and goes right infront of the cathedral. When it was built, they probably couldnot envisage the advent of the automobiles and the number of tourists who visit. The noise of the vehicles and the pollution can be damaging to the structure in the long run. That said, nothing can take away the grandeur and Majesty of the Cathedral which stands tall and in perfect condition over 1000 yrs.   

 

The front entrance is at the road level. The site dips down towards the back, to almost 5 floors. There are two bell towers on either side of the main entrance. 

 The front facade has a rose window covered in stained glass.

The beautiful steel hinge in the wooden main door

   

There is a clock below the bell on the right tower. One can see identical window opening on the south facade of the right bell tower. 

 

The fortress like construction of De Se was used as such in times of war. The Cathedral was built in Romanesque style of architecture initially, but with later additions and alterations, different styles were incorporated into the main structure.

 

 

The stained glass window in the west facade

The altar and the sacristy are in Baroque style. We didnot go to the cloisters which were towards the back, are said to be in Gothic style. Though Se Cathedral has a mixture of different styles from different periods, it all comes together harmoniously, to create a prayerful and pious atmosphere. 

It is calm, tranquil and rejuvenating just sitting inside. I felt the vibrations of hundreds of years of prayer and devotion washing over me.