Convento do Espinheiro

Category: Religious Architecture > Convent

District: Évora > Évora > Canaviais > Espinheiro

Location

The Convento do Espinheiro is located on the outskirts of the city of Évora, in the Canaviais area, locally known as Espinheiro. Its position, just a few kilometers from the historic center, provides an environment of remarkable tranquility. Surrounded by extensive gardens, it offers a serene atmosphere, isolated from urban bustle, and blends into the Alentejo landscape.

Origins and the Founding Legend

The history of Convento do Espinheiro has its roots in the 15th century. Alentejo popular tradition tells that the Virgin Mary appeared to a shepherd on a burning hawthorn bush, giving rise to the name of the place. This miraculous event led to the construction of a small hermitage on the site around 1412. Given the increasing influx of pilgrims and the growing importance of the site, a church was founded in 1458, which gave rise to the subsequent monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome, marking the beginning of a centuries-old journey.

The Stage for Portuguese Royalty

Throughout the centuries, the Convento do Espinheiro was the stage for crucial moments in Portuguese history and received visits and patronage from various monarchs. It was within its premises that D. João II presided over the Cortes of Évora in 1481. D. Afonso V, D. Manuel I, and D. Sebastião visited the convent and showed great devotion to it, with stories of vigils and even the construction of a small chapel for prayer by D. Sebastião. Royal figures, such as Infanta D. Isabel, daughter of the Catholic Monarchs, stayed here overnight before her marriage to Prince D. Afonso, demonstrating the convent's importance to the court. The site also served as a temporary burial place for members of the royal family and other illustrious personalities of the era, such as the chronicler Garcia de Resende.

Architecture and Artistic Heritage

The richness of the Convento do Espinheiro is manifested in its architecture and the elements that have endured over time. The Church of Nossa Senhora do Espinheiro and its annex chapel are classified as National Monument, testifying to their patrimonial relevance. The original 15th-century design remains visible, inviting a careful observation of its Gothic details. Noteworthy are the small white hermitage, commissioned by the chronicler Garcia de Resende, and the singular chapel of D. Sebastião, with its dome and open-sky oculus, a true architectural rarity. These structures are tangible vestiges of a rich and complex history. The memory of the convent is also reflected in works of art that were part of its collection, such as the Manueline Pax-Board, a remarkable silver goldsmith piece that is now in another national collection, but which harks back to the artistic magnificence that once filled this space.

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