Monastery of Leça do Balio or Church of the Old Monastery of Leça do Balio or Church of Santa Maria de Leça do Balio

Category: Religious Architecture > Monastery

District: Porto > Matosinhos > Leça do Balio > Santeiro

Location

The Monastery of Leça do Balio is located in the parish of Leça do Balio, in the municipality of Matosinhos, district of Porto.

National Monument

Classified as a National Monument since 1910, due to its historical and architectural importance.

Architecture

- This monastery is a rare example of fortified religious architecture, with both military and religious characteristics.

- It combines Romanesque and Gothic styles, with a crenellated tower that highlights its defensive function.

- The church has three naves, chapels at the head, and ribbed vaults in the altar area.

History

- It is believed that a Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter once existed on the site, revealing the long history of this place.

- In the 10th century, the first monastery was founded in the context of the Christian Reconquista, under the patronage of local nobles.

- The monastery gained relevance when it was donated to the Hospitaller Order in the 12th century, transforming into an important center of this military order.

Current Construction

- The church that we can visit today was started in the 14th century by Prior D. Frei Estevão Vasques Pimentel.

- It maintains monastic and military elements of the time, with emphasis on the cloister and the imposing 28-meter tower.

Historical Events

- In 1372, the monastery was the scene of the marriage of King D. Fernando to D. Leonor Teles.

- In 1385, Nuno Álvares Pereira, Constable of Portugal, passed through here before starting a decisive military campaign.

Modern Curiosity

- In 2016, the monastery was acquired by the Lionesa Group and underwent a requalification, maintaining its preservation and cultural importance.

Restorations

- Already in the 20th century, the monastery underwent restorations, particularly in the 1930s, and continues to be maintained and valued as a space of great heritage relevance.

Visit

- It is possible to admire its monumental facade, the interior with three naves, and the impressive crenellated tower.

- The place is an important point of interest for those who like history, architecture, and the legacy of the Military Orders in Portugal.

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

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