Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Braga > Braga > Mire de Tibães > Boavista
Situated in the locality of Mire de Tibães, in the municipality of Braga, the Monastery of S. Martinho de Tibães is located in an area locally known as Boavista. Its geographical position, slightly set apart from Braga's urban centre, lends it an atmosphere of tranquility, nestled within a vast 'cerca' (enclosure) composed of landscaped areas, woods, and agricultural fields.
The origins of this imposing Benedictine monastery are very ancient, with records of a monastic community in this location dating back to the 6th century. Its foundation is associated with St. Martin of Dume, and the site was likely previously occupied by a Roman villa. Over the centuries, the monastery grew in importance, culminating in the 16th century with its elevation to mother-house of the Congregation of Saint Benedict for the entire Kingdom of Portugal and its overseas empire, including Brazil.
The complex presented today is essentially the result of a major construction and renovation campaign carried out in the 17th and 18th centuries, periods of its greatest splendour. After the dissolution of religious orders in the 19th century, the monastery entered a period of decline, but was acquired by the Portuguese State in 1986, initiating a process of recovery and valorisation.
The predominant architecture at Tibães Monastery is marked by Mannerist and Baroque styles, evidencing the wealth and power of the Benedictine Order. The monastic complex is on a large scale, organised around vast cloisters that invite contemplation and strolls through the interior and exterior spaces.
Inside the church and conventual wings, visitors can appreciate the remarkable artistic expression of the era, particularly visible in the profusion of gilded woodcarving, the imposing altarpieces, the tile panels, and the impressive baroque organ. Renowned architects and artists, such as André Soares, left their mark on Tibães, which functioned as an important centre for artistic production and dissemination, influencing religious art throughout Portuguese territory in the 17th and 18th centuries.
One of the distinctive aspects of Tibães Monastery is its extensive "cerca", the vast property surrounding the conventual buildings. This outdoor space is an invitation to explore the diversity of the historical monastic landscape, with areas of dense woodland, carefully designed gardens, and vast agricultural fields that bear witness to the monks' original activity.
Strolling through the cerca offers moments of tranquility and allows discovery of remnants of ancient structures. It is also in this green space that an 18th-century chapel dedicated to Saint Benedict is located, a small historical point of interest integrated into the monastery's natural landscape.
Currently, Tibães Monastery is open to the public, allowing visitors to discover the impressiveness of its architecture and the richness of its artistic heritage. Although much of the original collection was lost after the dissolution of religious orders, it is possible to appreciate some remaining pieces and others that illustrate the history of the monastery and the Benedictine congregation.
The visit allows exploration of various spaces, from the church and conventual wings to the vast cerca, providing an immersion in the history, art, and daily life of what was one of Portugal's most important monastic centres.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.5559532,-8.4785837
Coordinates DMS: 41°33'21.4"N 08°28'42.9"W
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