Convento de Almiara

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Coimbra > Montemor-o-Velho > Outeiro da Moura > Abrunheira, Verride e Vila Nova da Barca

Location

The Almiara Convent is located in Outeiro da Moura, in the parish of Abrunheira, Verride and Vila Nova da Barca, in the municipality of Montemor-o-Velho. Situated at the foot of the northern slope of Quinta de Almiara, the building offers wide views over the Mondego river valley. Its location is predominantly rural, set within a landscape where rice fields are a striking presence, in harmony with the surrounding natural environment.

A Brief History

With origins dating back to the 12th century, the estate where the Almiara Convent stands was initially a monastic property. In the 13th century, it was acquired by the prior-major of Santa Cruz de Coimbra, transforming into a summer retreat for the friars of that order. It was a place where the religious sought rest during the summer months, even taking the opportunity to travel to the seaside. This place also played a historic role in the introduction and development of rice cultivation in Portugal by the Cruzios friars, a tradition that remained linked to this estate throughout the centuries, demonstrating its relevance for the region's economy and culture.

Traces of Other Times

The architecture of the Almiara Convent is a testament to its evolution over the centuries, featuring elements that combine Renaissance style with Pombaline influences, resulting from significant reforms carried out in the second half of the 18th century. It is possible to observe vestiges of Pombaline architecture that are considered rare in the region. The complex, with an irregular plan, is organized around two courtyards and includes the residential area, the chapel, and agricultural outbuildings, such as the granary and the winery. The main facade, of long extension and characteristic of the 18th century, displays a central portico with arches and a triangular pediment, while a three-story turret crowns one of the ends. Inside, the divisions, despite their state of abandonment, reveal their original grandeur, with spacious rooms and panoramic views over the Mondego plain. The old refectory of the friars still preserves vestiges of tile wainscoting and a coffered wooden ceiling. The agricultural areas, with their brick vaulted ceilings and the winery with columns and elements of Arab reminiscence, offer a perspective on daily life and the constructive ingenuity of the era. The private chapel, once richly decorated with tiles depicting scenes from the lives of the Cruzios and Saint Augustine, and gilded altars, is now quite damaged, maintaining, however, its structure parallel to the main body of the convent.

A Monument in Time

Classified as a Monument of Public Interest, the Almiara Convent represents a valuable heritage, even in its current abandoned state. Its imposing structure, although marked by the passage of time and lack of use, invites reflection on the region's religious and agricultural history. It is a place that, despite its state of ruin, still manages to convey the grandeur of past centuries and the way of life of its former occupants, offering a discovery experience for those who appreciate history and architecture that withstand the test of time.

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