Parish of Olivais

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The Parish of Olivais, whose former name was Santa Maria dos Olivais, was created in 1397.

Origin of name
Curious about the origin of the name? The name Olivais comes from a legend according to which an image of a saint was found in an olive tree; the image was kept there for some time, but then it disappeared. The image disappeared, the name, however, remained until today.





Olivais is a name to keep in mind, as it is in this parish that the Lisbon Airport (read more below).

Getting to Olivais

From Sé de Lisboa (Historical Center of Lisbon) to the parish of Olivais it is about 8 km, following Avenidas Almirante Reis and Gago Coutinho.
The parish is well served by public transport (see more below).

Find out more: Public transport in Olivais

Santa Maria dos Olivais

The parish of Olivais (or Santa Maria dos Olivais as it was known) is located in the extreme northeast of the city of Lisbon. Well served by means of transport public buses (buses) and subway (Cabo Ruivo, Encarnação and Olivais stations), large avenues for car circulation are factors that weigh in the choice of this parish to have your home there.

These facilities, in addition to some green spaces, make Olivais a good place to live in the Portuguese capital.

The urban centers of the current parish are:

• the Historic Center, also known as Olivais Velho

• the Bairro da Encarnação

• Olival Norte

• Olival Sul

Find out more: Neighborhoods of Olivais

Area and Population

Declining resident population
With 8.09 km², being the second largest parish in the municipality of Lisbon, even having had a part of its territory ceded for the creation of JF Parque das Nações, to the east.

Olivais has a population of 32,184 inhabitants (INE, 2021), and is also the seventh most populous parish in the Portuguese capital.

In 2011, the parish had 33,788 inhabitants (idem), with a drop in population resident during this period.

Low population density
With 3,977 inhabitants per km², the population density of Olivais is one of the lowest from the city of Lisbon.

Where to eat in Olivais

Check out our selection of cafes, bars and restaurants in Olivais below: O Barão, Peixe Azul, Palmeira Restaurant,... find out more: Where to eat in Olivais.

Lisbon International Airport

Main gateway to Portugal, the Lisbon International Airport is located in Parish of Olivais. The airport occupies the entire western part (west zone) of the parish.

Find out more: Lisbon International Airport

Olivais Historic Center

Beautiful square with great historical interest. The highlight is Praça Viscondessa dos Olivais.

What to see in the Parish of Olivais

Some of the main tourist attractions in the City of Lisbon, such as the Palácio da Quinta do Contador Mor, of literary and historical importance.

Other options: Quinta Pedagógica dos Olivais,

See also: Olivais attractions, Lisbon

Location

The parish of Olivais is limited to the north by the municipality of Loures, to the east, with the parish of Parque das Nações, to the south, with the parishes of Parish of Alvalade and Parish of Marvila, and to the west, with Parish of Lumiar, and to the northwest, with Parish of Santa Clara.

What to do in the Parish of Olivais

Walks, such as in Jardim da Alameda da Encarnação or in Vale do Silêncio Park, playing sports (cycling, among others) in one of the facilities of the neighborhoods, and visit the main attractions of the parish, such as the Historical Center of Olivais. Cafes, bars and restaurants also complete this offer of leisure options.

See also: What to do in Olivais

About the Parish of Olivais

The Freguesia dos Olivais, created in the Middle Ages, later becoming a municipality, had its glory days in the 1980s, when it was inhabited by 61,941 inhabitants.

With all the changes that have taken place, since the end of the 1980s, the parish has lost importance and population. In 2021, according to the latest INE census, the resident population dropped to 32,184 inhabitants. A drop of 48.08% in 40 years!

However, the parish has good potential (and space) to grow. Being, in our opinion, a good place to live.

A bit of history

Place of greatest importance for the history of Lisbon and Portugal. The Parish of Olivais, whose name former was Santa Maria dos Olivais, it was created in 1397.

"This parish was created on the 6th of May 1397", reads the inscription on the main façade of the Church of Santa Maria dos Olivais. On the initiative of the Archbishop of Lisbon, D. João Anes, the new parish was created, confirmed by bull of Pope Boniface IX, of July 1, 1400.

It was located in lands on the border of Lisbon, donated to the city in 1385, by King D. João I, as a reward for services rendered to royalty and the nation. The territory would be integrated "in the outskirts of the city, beyond Chelas, with the Marvila of the Moorish mosques in the possession of the bishopric (...) and, presumably at the parish of Sacavém, established in the 12th century, perhaps on the sites of Marcos, Encarnação and Portela" [FJ from Olivais].

The origin of the name, as we know, comes from a legend according to which an image of the saint was found in an olive tree, kept there but later disappeared.

Later, the lands of Olivais already formed the county (with 24 parishes).

Close to us, more recently, the Freguesia de Olivais was created in 2012, with the assignment from the riverside area to the new Parque das Nações Parish and small adjustments in other boundaries with neighboring parishes.

Attractions of the Parish of Olivais

Among the main attractions of Olivais, we highlight:

The Palace of Quinta da Fonte do Anjo, the Historic Center of Vila dos Olivais, the Church of Santa Maria, the Palace of Quinta do Contador Mor, the Convent of São Cornelius, the Benagazil Palace, the Church of Santo Eugênio among other attractions, such as:

• the Historical Center of Vila dos Olivais

• the Palace of Quinta do Contador Mor

• the Palace of Quinta da Fonte do Anjo (Pombaline architecture)

• the Saint Cornelius Convent

• the Palácio Benagazil

• the Igreja de Santa Maria (church of Olivais)


Learn more: Attractions in Olivais

Sports in Olivais

Where to practice your favorite sport in Olivais? Cycling, walking, jogging, or other sports activity, see below where to practice your sport in Olivais.

The Ciclovia Cidade de Lisboa, in Parque Vale do Silêncio, is one of the structures available in the parish.

The Complexo Desportivo do Sport Lisboa e Olivais, with its football stadium, for lovers of football.

Find out more: Playing sports in Olivais

Important urban roads

In addition to the metro (Cabo Ruivo, Encarnação and Olivais stations) and rails (buses), large avenues and streets pass through the olive groves, such as Avenida Infante Dom Henrique, Avenida Marechal Craveiro Lopes, Avenida Cidade do Porto, Praça da Viscondessa dos Olivais, among many others.

+ Information

• Address/Address: R. General Silva Freire, Lot C
• Telephone: 218 540 690
• Official Link: JF de Olivais
• Opening hours:
from Monday to Friday: from 9 am to 5 pm; Thursdays: until 7pm
• Social networks: www.facebook/JFOlivais, Instagram: @jfolivais

Lisbon Region

For those who stay a little longer, discovering the surroundings and the Greater Lisbon also, it is a must-see program.