Parish of Santa Clara

Lisbon's Neighborhoods

Lisbon's All Parishes

The parish of Santa Clara, formerly an agricultural area that supplied the capital, replaced the former parishes of Charneca and Ameixoeira.

Like the neighboring parishes of Lumiar, Olivais and also Carnide, Santa Clara is a dynamic parish with strong population growth, being the ninth most populous parish in Lisbon.





Learn more: Most populous parishes in Lisbon

Northern limit of Lisbon

The parish of Santa Clara is located in the extreme north of the city of Lisbon. From Sé de Lisboa (Historic Center) to Santa Clara is 11 km. On the edge north-northeast, the municipality of Loures. On the north-northwest boundary, the municipality of Odivelas.

Ameixoeira

The former Freguesia da Ameixoeira (Plum tree) corresponds to the western part of the Freguesia de Santa Clara, west of the North-South Axis, essentially up to the limit with the municipality (municipality) of Odivelas. To the south is the Ameixoeira Station of the Lisbon Metro.

Charneca

The former Freguesia da Charneca (Moorland) corresponds to the eastern part of the Freguesia de Santa Clara, east of the North-South axis, essentially up to the limit with Lisbon International Airport, already in Freguesia dos Olivais and, to the southeast, with Parish of Lumiar.

Area and Population

Growth of the resident population
With 3.36 km², the Freguesia de Santa Clara has a population of 23,650 inhabitants (INE, 2021). In 2011, the parish had 22,480 inhabitants (idem), with a population growth resident during this period.

Population density
With 7,037 inhabitants per km², Santa Clara has a population density above Lisbon city average.

Main Neighborhoods

See below the main neighborhoods of Freguesia de Santa Clara, north of Lisbon:

• Ameixoeira


• Charneca


• Quinta Grande


• Quinta do Louro


• Quinta da Torrinha


• Quinta das Lavadeiras


• Sete Céus


• Bairro de Angola


• Galinheiras

Social neighborhoods

From Ameixoeira to Charneca, in other social neighborhoods people live relatively quietly, despite the many problems that affect this parish where the two extremes coexist.

Chicken huts, slums

The opinion is almost unanimous: the Galinheiras neighborhood is a place to avoid, if possible. If the rental prices (leases) are more affordable in Freguesia de Santa Clara, where, however, there is everything, to give you an idea of the situation, this was the only neighborhood in Lisbon that "was in a state of calamity". Despite being one of the oldest neighborhoods in the parish, the situation of poverty continues and there is still a lot of "housing clandestine" (DN, June 27, 2020).

Santa Clara Attractions

Among the attractions of Santa Clara, we highlight:

• the Garden of Quinta de Santa Clara (Jardim da Ameixoeira),

• the Campo das Amoreiras Garden,

• the West Park Garden,

• the Urban Park of Quinta de São João Baptista,

• the Church of the Incarnation,

• the Urban Park of Vale da Ameixoeira

• bars and restaurants, among other attractions.

Find out more: Attractions of Santa Clara

Santa Clara Garden

The Jardim da Quinta de Santa Clara, located between Rua da Ameixoeira and the Ameixoeira Metro Station, it is a large green space in the Parish of Santa Clara. In addition to a well-kept and restful place, in the garden events are organized for inhabitants and visitors.

What to see in the Parish of Santa Clara

Among the main attractions of the parish, among the parks and gardens, the following stand out:

• the Palace of the Marquis of Alegrete

• the Section (stretch) of the Wall of Lisbon

• the Reguengo Urban Park

Find out more: Attractions of Santa Clara

Location

The Freguesia de Santa Clara, in the extreme north of the City of Lisbon, is limited to the north and northeast with the municipality of Loures, to the north and northwest, with the municipality of Odivelas, to the east and southeast, with the Olivais Parish and, to the south and southwest, with the Parish of Lumiar.

What to do in the Parish of Santa Clara

Walks and visits to the parish's main attractions, playing sports (swimming, skateboarding, cycling), discover the typical small restaurants and bars of Santa Clara.

See also: What to do in Santa Clara, Lisbon

About the Parish of Santa Clara

Social contrasts
The parish of Santa Clara, where social contrasts are strong, is also a stronghold of Lisbon's middle and upper-middle class, in addition to its social neighborhoods. these neighborhoods also called municipal neighborhoods, built by the government to put an end to the old shacks, there are some deficiencies that still mark them today. Therefore, it is always good to be well informed about the location where you want to live.
In other parts of the parish there are recent buildings, clean and quiet streets. well served in In terms of urban roads, it has the subway for a quick and safe connection to the center of Lisbon.

A bit of history

More recently, the Parish of Santa Clara was created in 2012, when the Freguesia de Santa Clara replaced the previous parishes of Charneca and Plum tree.

The 1940s-1960s
Those were the years that marked the great transformation in Santa Clara: rural exodus, many peasants attracted by better living conditions in the capital, coming mainly from the north of the country settled in precarious housing. This panorama lasted several decades and was little by little modified. for the construction of the well-known social neighborhoods.

Immigration
In addition to the phenomenon of migration as described above, and the "returnees", new residents came to Santa Clara. This time, more recently, from Portugal's former colonies in Africa.

Attractions of the Parish of Santa Clara

Among the attractions, the following stand out:

• the Garden of Quinta de Santa Clara

• the Urban Park of Vale da Ameixoeira

• the Church São Bartolomeu da Charneca

• the Church of the Incarnation

• the Forte da Ameixoeira (Fort D. Carlos I)

• Events organized in Jardim de Santa Clara

• bars and restaurants for the night

São Bartolomeu da Charneca

The Church São Bartolomeu da Charneca is one of the historical and religious heritage attractions of the parish. "The current church, dating from the 17th century (1685), It was built in the same place as the original parish headquarters, incorporating some elements from the 16th century, namely two Manueline holy water fonts, tombstones with Gothic inscriptions, two paintings on wood Mannerist cycle and a Manueline cross located in the churchyard opposite" [Visit Lisbon].

Find out more: Church São Bartolomeu da Charneca

Where to eat in the Parish of Santa Clara

Check out our selection of bars, cafes and restaurants in Santa Clara below:

• Café Boavista, São Cristóvão Restaurant, Dom Felipe, Tia Rita's Children...

Find out more: Where to eat in Santa Clara

Main urban roads

Metro station Ameixoeira. Azinhaga da Cidade is one of the main arteries of parish. Other important routes: Eixo Norte-Sul, Calçada de Carriche, Estrada do Forte da Ameixoeira, Largo do Minister and others.

+ Information

• Address/Address: 200, Largo do Min. 1
• Telephone: 217 567 420
• Official Link: JF de Santa Clara
• Social networks: www.facebook/jfsantaclara/ , Instagram: @freguesiadesantaclara
• Contact by email: geral@jf-santaclara.pt
• Opening hours:
  from 09:00 to 12:45 and from 14:00 to 16:45, from Monday to Friday

Lisbon Region

For those who stay a little longer, discovering the surroundings and the Greater Lisbon is also an unmissable program.