Ruins of the Convent of Saint Francis / Convent of Our Lady of Piety

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Beja > Aljustrel > Messejana > Bairro de São Brás

Location

The ruins of this old convent are located on the outskirts of the village of Messejana, situated in the area known as Bairro de São Brás. The site has a predominantly rural and somewhat isolated setting, about 600 meters northeast of the village center. Its position offers tranquility and allows one to observe the typical surrounding landscape of the Alentejo.

Origin and History

The history of this convent dates back to the 16th century. Its foundation is thought to have occurred between 1566 and 1567, on the initiative of D. Lourenço da Silva, having been initially dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Conceição dos Xabreganos (Our Lady of the Conception of Xabreganos). It is probable that the original building was erected on the site of an older hermitage, used by friars of the Third Order of Saint Francis. In the 18th century, the convent underwent significant interventions that gave it the Baroque and Rococo features whose vestiges are still visible today. The end of religious life at the site happened in the 19th century, and the structure was eventually deactivated and sold, with part of its material being reused in other constructions in the village.

Architecture in Ruins

Despite its ruined state, the main structure of the conventual church still allows its original plan to be perceived. It featured a single nave and side chapels. On the main façade, facing southeast, 18th-century architectural elements are notable, such as the curved-line pediment finish and the decoration with characteristic Baroque and Rococo motifs, like shells and volutes. Traces of arcades and openings inside suggest the organization of the space, including areas like the baptismal chapel and the sacristy. Most of the dependencies that constituted the conventual area, attached to the left side of the church, are currently in a state of almost total ruin.

The Atmosphere of the Remains

Visiting the convent ruins offers an experience of direct contact with the past and the memory of the place. The state of conservation, where stone and brick blend with the vegetation growing among the structures, creates a unique atmosphere of abandonment and serenity. It is a space that invites contemplation, allowing one to imagine the life that once unfolded within these walls, contrasting with the quietude that now resides there amidst the Alentejo rural landscape.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt