Category: Religious Architecture > Place of Worship
District: Porto > Vila Nova de Gaia > Lugar do Castelo > Largo de Aljubarrota
The Convent of Corpus Christi stands in Vila Nova de Gaia, in Largo de Aljubarrota, in the heart of the Lugar do Castelo area. Its proximity to the Douro River is evident, and the current church, built in the 17th century, was constructed at a higher elevation to avoid the floods that affected the original 14th-century temple. This position offers an interesting perspective on the history and urban landscape of the south bank of the Douro.
The history of this imposing building began in 1345, when it was founded as a women's monastery by the noblewoman D. Maria Mendes Petite, devoted to the Sacrament of the Eucharist and entrusted to the Order of Saint Dominic. Despite some initial hindrances, the convent opened its doors in 1354. Over the centuries, the building underwent significant transformations, including the reconstruction of the church in the 17th century and the addition of a Baroque facade in the 18th century, with the signature of Father Pantaleão da Rocha de Magalhães and the notable influence of Nicolau Nasoni.
After the end of conventual life in 1894, the space found new vocations, serving as a women's institute for education and regeneration in the 20th century. Recently, in 2003, the Convent of Corpus Christi reverted to the Municipal Chamber of Vila Nova de Gaia and underwent renovation works, transforming it into a dynamic cultural space. The property has been classified as a Building of Public Interest since 2012.
The architecture of the Convent of Corpus Christi is one of its greatest attractions. The church stands out for its unusual octagonal nave, culminating in a vault and dome. Inside, the artistic richness is palpable: the four side altars display images of great beauty, and the upper choir, a Baroque work from the 17th century, features a magnificent two-level stall, richly decorated with gilded carving.
The church ceiling is particularly noteworthy, formed by 49 coffers decorated with oil paintings on wood. These works represent a varied iconography, with saints, Doctors of the Church, and Dominican figures, centered on devotions to the Holy Rosary, the Name of Jesus, and the Eucharist. A captivating detail of the choir stalls are the grotesques, each one different from the others, carved into each seat, which depict exotic figures, animals, and plants, revealing artistic influences from the Overseas Empire.
The convent also serves as a notable memorial to important figures in Portuguese history. Inside, buried are D. Leonor de Alvim, who was the wife of Constable D. Nuno Álvares Pereira, and her grandmother, D. Maria Mendes Petite, who was the founder of the convent. Also found here is the tomb chest of Álvaro Anes de Cernache, the first lord of Gaia, who distinguished himself as the ensign of the flag of the legendary Ala dos Namorados at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. These tombs lend the site an additional layer of historical and symbolic interest.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.136230902439, -8.6175994365854
Coordinates DMS: 41°08'10.4"N 08°37'3.4"W
On-duty Pharmacy Lugar do Castelo
