Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Lisboa > Azambuja > Aveiras de Baixo > Virtudes
The Church of the Convent of Santa Maria das Virtudes is located in the area known as Virtudes, part of the locality of Aveiras de Baixo. Situated in the municipality of Azambuja, this place offers a tranquil and serene environment, typical of a rural or peripheral area that once hosted a monastic community.
Its position in the landscape invites contemplation and allows for an immersion in history, far from the hustle and bustle of large urban centers, revealing a corner of Portugal with a rich past.
The history of the church is intrinsically linked to the surrounding convent, founded at the beginning of the 15th century, more precisely in 1431, as an establishment of the Order of Friars Minor, the Franciscans. Before that, in the year 1403, there was already a hermitage dedicated to Santa Maria da Adema at the same location, which served as the basis for the construction of the convent complex.
This foundation marks the beginning of a period of strong religious presence and influence in the region, reflecting the importance of the Franciscans in the spiritual and social life of the Portuguese medieval era.
Today, the church stands as an eloquent testimony to 15th-century architecture, although time and abandonment have left their deep marks. Following the extinction of religious orders in 1834, the building was left to decay, losing part of its structure, including the roof.
Nevertheless, its walls and persistent elements allow for the observation of the space's original grandeur. It is an example of how the past remains present, even through its vestiges, and continues to tell the story of an era and a community. The structure, despite being ruined, possesses significant architectural and historical value, being recognized for its heritage.
Throughout the centuries, the Church of the Convent of Santa Maria das Virtudes was a central point of devotion. Its patroness, Santa Maria das Virtudes, was particularly fervently venerated, to the extent that a Book of the Miracles of Our Lady of Virtues was compiled in 1497, which attests to its relevance as a place of pilgrimage and manifestations of faith.
The presence of a historic fair associated with the convent, the Feira de Santa Maria das Virtudes, underscores its importance not only religiously but also culturally and communally, being a place of gathering and exchange that enlivened the region in bygone times.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.0866772,-8.8283699
Coordinates DMS: 39°05'12.0"N 08°49'42.1"W
Weather Aveiras de Baixo
On-duty Pharmacy Aveiras de Baixo
