Church and Convent of Santa Maria de Aguiar

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Guarda > Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo > Castelo Rodrigo

Location

Located in the parish of Castelo Rodrigo, municipality of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo.

History and Foundation

, Founded in the 12th century next to the Aguiar stream, a tributary of the Douro River.

, Initially inhabited by Benedictines or hermits who, around 1170, joined the Cistercian Order.

, Governed by the rule of Saint Benedict, practiced by monks in isolated areas.

Classification

Considered a National Monument since 1932.

Important Historical Periods

, Territorial Dispute: The lands of Ribacôa were disputed between Portugal and León after the conquest from the Arabs.

, Diocese of Ciudad Rodrigo: The monastery was included in this diocese in 1175.

, Treaty of Alcanices (1297): Santa Maria de Aguiar passed into Portuguese domain.

, Diocese of Lamego: From 1403 onwards, it ceased to depend on Ciudad Rodrigo.

Decline and Renovation

, In the mid-15th century, the monastery fell into decline.

, In the early 17th century, under Filipino rule, it underwent modernization works.

, It was abandoned in the early 19th century due to the French invasions and the extinction of religious orders.

, Sold at public auction in 1937, it underwent several restoration works that altered its original appearance.

Altarpiece

, It was at the Monastery of Serra do Pilar, in Vila Nova de Gaia, for 50 years.

, It returned to the monastery of Santa Maria de Aguiar in 1992, with three images, the main one being Santa Maria de Aguiar.

Architecture

, Predominant styles: Romanesque and Gothic.

, The church has a Latin cross plan with three naves and a salient transept.

, Stepped chevet and two rectangular plan apsidioles.

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

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