Face of King Denis revealed
King Denis of Portugal, born on October 9, 1261, in Lisbon, was the sixth monarch of Portugal and one of its most celebrated rulers.
What?
For the first time in 700 years, the face of Portugal’s poet-king, King Denis of Portugal (1261–1325), in Portuguese Dom Dinis, has been reconstructed, offering a glimpse into his appearance in the final years of his life.
This groundbreaking revelation was presented by the Cultural Heritage - Public Institute (PC-IP) on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the Monastery of Odivelas.
King Denis, who died on January 7, 1325, in Santarém, was buried in the Monastery of Odivelas as per his 1322 testament.
The tomb underwent restoration beginning in 2016, revealing not only the king’s skeletal remains but also valuable artifacts, including a medieval sword once thought lost and the intricate mantle that covered his body.
The tomb was reopened in 2019 for further study and sealed again on June 28, 2023, following meticulous preservation efforts.
Celebration in 2025
The unveiling marks the start of a year-long program commemorating the 700th anniversary of King Denis’s death.
Among the planned events is a traveling exhibition, set to launch on April 18, which will showcase the findings of the tomb’s restoration project across Portugal.
An international congress at the Monastery of Odivelas is scheduled for June 27–28, followed by the publication of a comprehensive monograph in October.
Cultural activities, educational initiatives, and community engagement events will also take place in Odivelas, where the king’s tomb has been central to these commemorations.
A Scientifically Backed Portrait of a Monarch
The revelation marked the culmination of years of multidisciplinary research.
The project used advanced 3D printing technology, guided by archaeological and anthropological studies, to recreate the monarch's visage.
“This is the first scientifically-based image of a Portuguese monarch from the first dynasty, portrayed at the end of his life,” noted the Ministry of Culture.
The reconstruction was carried out at the FaceLab of Liverpool John Moores University under the scientific coordination of anthropologist Eugénia Cunha from the University of Coimbra.
The research team comprised experts in archaeology, biological anthropology, conservation, restoration, history, and art history.
Their work was part of the broader Conservation and Restoration Project of the Tomb of D. Dinis, launched in 2016 by the now-defunct Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage (DGPC) in partnership with the Municipality of Odivelas.
Who Was King Denis? The Poet-King of Portugal
King Denis, born on October 9, 1261, in Lisbon, was the sixth monarch of Portugal and one of its most celebrated rulers.
Known as the “Rei Lavrador” (Farmer King) for his significant contributions to agriculture and forestry, Denis also earned the title of “Rei-Poeta” (Poet King) for his enduring impact on Portuguese arts and culture.
His 46-year reign, from 1279 to 1325, was marked by stability, innovation, and a deep commitment to the cultural and intellectual development of his kingdom.
Denis was a prolific writer and a champion of the Portuguese language. He is best remembered for his cantigas de amigo and cantigas de amor, lyrical poems that celebrated themes of love, friendship, and nature.
These compositions, part of the larger tradition of Galician-Portuguese troubadour poetry, positioned Portugal as a cultural leader in medieval Europe.
In addition to his literary contributions, Denis founded the University of Coimbra in 1290, solidifying his dedication to education and intellectual pursuits.
The university remains one of the oldest in Europe and a testament to his legacy as a ruler who valued knowledge and culture.
King Denis was also known for his diplomatic acumen, skillfully negotiating treaties and maintaining peace with neighboring Castile.
His reign saw advancements in infrastructure, agricultural reforms, and the promotion of maritime commerce, laying the groundwork for Portugal’s future Age of Exploration.