Freemasonry in Portugal
Overview
 
The first known Portuguese Freemasons were John Coustos
John Coustos
John Coustos was an 18th-century Swiss businessman living in England.While traveling on business he founded a Masonic lodge in Lisbon and was arrested by the Portuguese Inquisition. After questioning he was sentenced to the galleys. Three Portuguese Masons were put to death. He was released in...

 and two other members of his lodge, who were arrested by the Inquisition
Inquisition
The Inquisition, Inquisitio Haereticae Pravitatis , was the "fight against heretics" by several institutions within the justice-system of the Roman Catholic Church. It started in the 12th century, with the introduction of torture in the persecution of heresy...

 and questioned under torture in the 1740s. Coustos wrote a book detailing his sufferings under the inquisition. Today there are several Masonic Obediences in Portugal.
The "Grand Orient of Lusitania", founded in 1802, is the oldest Masonic Obedience in Portugal. It is recognized by the Grand Orient de France
Grand Orient de France
The Grand Orient de France is the largest of several Masonic organizations in France and the oldest in Continental Europe, founded in 1733.-Foundation:...

 and also belongs to CLIPSAS.
 
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