Category: Civil Architecture > Statue
District: Beja > Beja > Beja > Salvador e Santa Maria da Feira
The statue of Queen Dona Leonor is serenely positioned in the heart of Beja, in the parish of Salvador e Santa Maria da Feira. This monument, which celebrates a royal figure of great importance, is located in front of the historic Convent of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, currently known as the Queen Dona Leonor Museum. Its location invites a moment of contemplation, establishing a visual bridge between the city's past and present.
Born in Beja, at the Palace of the Dukes, in May 1458, Dona Leonor de Lencastre was one of Portugal's most influential queens, wife of D. João II and sister of D. Manuel I. Her life, which ended in Lisbon in 1525, was marked by a deep sense of duty and remarkable intervention in the affairs of the kingdom. Her mother, the Infanta Dona Beatriz, played a crucial role in the founding of the Convent of Conceição, in Beja, a place that became the Dukes' Pantheon, establishing an indelible link between Queen Leonor and her hometown.
Queen Dona Leonor distinguished herself by her progressive and humanitarian vision. She was regent of Portugal in two distinct periods, demonstrating remarkable governance abilities. She is recognized for having founded the world's first thermal hospital, a pioneering project that gave rise to the town of Caldas da Rainha. Similarly, her most emblematic initiative was the creation of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa in 1498, a charitable institution that would have an unprecedented welfare impact, replicating itself throughout Portuguese territory and overseas dominions, focusing on supporting the most needy.
Queen Dona Leonor was also a fervent promoter of culture and religion. She supported and promoted central figures such as the playwright Gil Vicente, who was in her service and for whom she composed several theatrical works. Her influence extended to goldsmithing, painting, illumination, and the publication of important books of the era. In addition, the queen played an active role in the reform and founding of several religious orders and convents, including the Convent of Madre de Deus. There is even a historical record of an enigmatic encounter between the queen and Christopher Columbus, underlining her connection to the great events of the Age of Discoveries.
The statue admired today in Beja is a work by the sculptor Álvaro de Brée. In creating this piece, the artist sought to capture the essence of Queen Dona Leonor, perpetuating her memory in the city where she was born. The presence of this sculpture offers an opportunity to reflect on the contribution of one of the most important figures in Portuguese history, whose impact was felt in areas as diverse as charity, health, and the arts.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.0142805300084, -7.86316309724018
Coordinates DMS: 38°00'51.4"N 07°51'47.4"W
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