Monastery of Bustelo

Category: Religious Architecture > Monastery

District: Porto > Penafiel > Bustelo > Mosteiro de S. Miguel de Bustelo

Bustelo Monastery

Bustelo Monastery, also known as Bustelo Parish Church or Church of São Miguel, is a baroque monument located in the parish of Bustelo, in the municipality of Penafiel.

History

Its origin dates back to the 10th century, with records of its existence since 1065. It was founded by a nobleman of the "Sousões" family.

Initially, it was an autochthonous monastery, becoming Benedictine in 1201.

The great transformation of the monastery began in 1633, when the reconstruction of the medieval building began, leading to the structure seen today.

After the extinction of religious orders in 1834, the monastery was dismembered and much of its content was lost. The church became a parish church and was acquired by the Parish in 1991.

The Church

The church has a cruciform plan and is notable for its dimensions, highlighting the Main Chapel and the Upper Choir.

The construction of the church began in 1695 and ended in 1752.

Inside, there are several altars, one of them dedicated to Our Lady of Health, celebrated on Easter Monday.

The main altar, in the Joanine style, is dedicated to São Miguel and São Bento, and has a Eucharistic Throne in the center.

The Upper Choir, with stalls attributed to the architect André Soares, contains works that depict the life of Saint Benedict and Saint Scholastica.

The Monastery

The monastery has a cloister and four dormitories, oriented by the cardinal points, offering stunning views.

Originally, it had cellars, granaries, a refectory and a kitchen. The construction of the monastery began in 1633 and ended in the 18th century.

In the center of the cloister is a representation of the mythological hero Hercules and a sundial.

Although it is in ruins, the complex is still fascinating to visit, allowing tourists to imagine its grandeur in the past.

Classification

Bustelo Monastery is classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1984, highlighting its historical and cultural importance.

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

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