Ruins of Penafirme Convent

Category: Nature > Reserva natural

District: Lisboa > Torres Vedras > Penafirme > A dos Cunhados e Maceira

Location

The ruins of the ancient Convent of Penafirme are located in the locality of Penafirme, integrated into the Union of Parishes of A dos Cunhados and Maceira, in the municipality of Torres Vedras. This historical site is situated in a predominantly rural and coastal environment, close to Santa Rita Beach. The surrounding area, marked by the presence of sand, gives it a natural and somewhat isolated atmosphere, despite its proximity to some summer houses. The landscape is dominated by the presence of the sandy area, which over the centuries has played an active role in shaping and concealing the convent's remains.

Remains of an Ancient History

What remains of the Convent of Penafirme is a collection of architectural vestiges that tell the story of a male religious complex of the Order of the Hermits of Saint Augustine. Parts of the wall that once surrounded the enclosure are still visible. The ruins of the church stand out, with its single nave and a quadrangular apse, where traces of barrel and groin vaults are still visible, as well as the stone corbels that would have supported these structures. The walls still reveal openings of old windows and an oculus, shaped in stone, offering a glimpse of its original design.

Beyond the church, it is possible to identify the remnants of essential conventual dependencies, such as a structure believed to have been the sacristy, with its own springing of a vault, and elements of the cloister, characterized by springing of groin vaults. A wall of a two-story building that housed the cells also subsists, where compartments with traces of barrel vaults and openings for doors or windows are noticeable, revealing the simplicity and functionality of the monastic space.

Chronology and Natural Challenges

The history of the Convent of Penafirme is long and marked by several phases of construction and abandonment. Its foundation is pointed to by some chroniclers for the mid-9th century, in a desolate place chosen to protect the monks from the attacks of the time. Over the centuries, the convent underwent several reconstructions and improvements, including an important campaign in the 12th century and the foundation of a second building in the 16th century. It was, however, a humble monastery, with small cells and a single-story cloister. The most significant event for its ruin was the Earthquake of 1755, which rendered it uninhabitable. After this earthquake, many of the stones from the old convent were reused in the construction of a new seminary a few kilometers away, contributing to its dilapidation. The advance of the sands over time also played a significant role in its progressive degradation and partial burial.

Legends and Symbolism

The ruins are not only an architectural testimony but also a repository of stories and legends that enrich the visit. The name "Penafirme" (firm rock) contrasts poetically with its current ruined state. One of the best-known legends refers to a monk who, on the morning of the 1755 Earthquake, managed to climb a nearby hill, where a calvary was erected in his memory, before succumbing to exhaustion. Other popular narratives are linked to a miraculous image of Our Lady of the Assumption, to whom the people had great devotion, and which is believed to have been in the main altar of the original convent. The strong connection of the convent to the devotion to Saint Rita is also one of the origins of the name of the nearby beach.

Recognizing its historical and heritage importance, this complex was classified as an Immovable of Public Interest in 1990 and 1993, a designation that highlights the cultural value and the need to preserve this site, which, despite its derelict condition, remains a symbol of the resilience of the history and legends of the Torres Vedras region.

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