Convent of Our Lady of Salutation

Category: Religious Architecture > Convent

District: Évora > Montemor-o-Novo > Montemor-o-Novo > Bairro de São Pedro

Location

- Situated within the castle of Montemor-o-Novo, in the locality of Nossa Senhora da Vila.

Classification

- National Monument since 1951.

History

- Founded by a group of women led by Joana Dias Quadrada in 1502.

- Originally without religious rules, in 1506 they adopted the Rule of Dominican nuns and joined the Order of Preachers.

Architecture and Structures

- The main facade retains original elements from the 16th century.

- Main entrance with an armillary sphere, a symbol of Manueline art.

- "Nuns' Door" in the church also decorated with an armillary sphere.

Constructions and Improvements

- Dormitory built in the 1560s.

- Convent church and cloister from the reign of D. João III.

- Infirmaries built in the late 16th century, connecting the convent to the town walls.

Convent Church

- Example of classical-baroque architecture.

- Interior enriched with an altarpiece influenced by the Valladolid school and polychrome tiles.

- Barrel vault subdivided into geometric coffers.

Upper and Lower Choir

- Upper choir covered with green and white tiles from the 17th century.

- Lower choir with smaller patterned tiles and frescoes attributed to José de Escobar.

Occupation and Use

- Housed up to 65 nuns in the 18th century.

- After the extinction of the convents in 1834, it became the Asylum for Destitute Children until the 1960s.

- Currently, it houses the transdisciplinary center and the Archeology Workshop of the Castle Program.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convento_de_Nossa_Senhora_da_Saudação

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