Saint Dinis Monastery

Category: Nature > Park

District: Lisboa > Odivelas > Odivelas > Bairro Espírito Santo

Location

The São Dinis Monastery is located in the city of Odivelas, in the heart of the Espírito Santo Neighbourhood. Its urban implantation is central to the locality, making it an easily identifiable landmark. Although surrounded by a developed urban fabric, the monastery manages to maintain an atmosphere of seclusion, inviting a moment of pause and contemplation in the city centre.

Its Royal Origins and Legends

Founded in the late 13th century, in 1295, at the initiative of King D. Dinis, this Cistercian monastery originated from a royal donation to the Bernardine nuns of the Cistercian Order. Its construction is linked to a well-known legend: during a hunt in the Alentejo, D. Dinis was reportedly surprised by a bear and, in gratitude for surviving, promised to build a monastery. The chosen site in Odivelas, then a "Quinta de Vale de Flores" (Vale de Flores Estate), offered ideal conditions for monastic life.

An Evolving Architecture

The São Dinis Monastery, classified as a National Monument, is a remarkable example of architecture that has witnessed centuries of history. Originally conceived in the Early Cistercian Gothic style, as defined by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, the building underwent profound transformations over time. The 1755 earthquake, in particular, imposed a major reconstruction that introduced Neoclassical elements, significantly altering the original design. However, vestiges of the primitive construction are still visible, such as the church's chancel, composed of the main chapel and two side chapels, as well as some remaining Gothic elements in the cloisters.

The Cloisters and Detailed Richness

The monastery has two distinct cloisters, each telling a part of its history. The Main Cloister, also known as the New Cloister after its post-earthquake reconstruction, displays harmonious Neoclassical architecture. However, upon close observation, it is possible to identify ogive arches that reveal its original Gothic foundation. The galleries of this cloister are adorned with 17th-century polychrome tile wainscoting, which adds colour and detail to the environment. The Moura Cloister, reconstructed in the late 17th century, stands out for its uniqueness. Its name comes from an 18th-century fountain at its centre, topped by a female figure dressed in Moorish attire and a turban, commissioned by the abbess D. Luísa de Moura. In this cloister, the ground-level gallery features chamfered depressed arches and some Gothic capitals, contrasting with the 16th-century upper gallery.

Historical and Cultural Memories

This site is intrinsically linked to the history of Portugal, being the tomb of D. Dinis, the monastery's founding king. His Gothic tomb, dating from the 14th century, is considered one of the most beautiful and monumental examples of Portuguese funerary art. Beyond its royal importance, the monastery was the stage for notable cultural events, such as the performance of Gil Vicente's "Auto da Cananea," commissioned by the abbess D. Violante Cabral. Throughout the 20th century, the monastery housed the Institute of Odivelas, a female educational institution, marking another phase in its long and multifaceted existence.

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