Monastery of Santo Tirso or Monastery of São Bento, enclosure and processional cross

Category: Religious Architecture > Cloister

District: Porto > Santo Tirso > Santo Tirso > Santo Tirso, Couto (Santa Cristina e São Miguel) e Burgães

Location

The Monastery of Santo Tirso, also known as the Monastery of Saint Benedict, is located in the heart of the city of Santo Tirso, in the district of Porto. This monumental complex, which includes the imposing church, the conventual buildings, its old monastic wall, and a processional cross, is harmoniously integrated into the local urban fabric, offering an unmissable historical and cultural landmark for those visiting the region.

A Millennial History

The history of this site dates back to the year 978, when the monastery was founded by D. Unisco Godiniz and Abunazar Lovesendes, the first lord of the influential Maia family. Over the centuries, the Monastery of Saint Benedict of Santo Tirso consolidated its importance, becoming a center of power and influence. In the 13th century, its significance was recognized by receiving special bulls of protection from Popes Innocent III and Honorius III. The national stature of this monastery was also highlighted by the visits of King John I, recorded in the years 1385 and 1409, attesting to its relevance to the Portuguese crown.

The Majestic Church and the Conventual Complex

The monastery's current church, which stands imposingly, is a testament to the religious architecture of the 17th and 18th centuries. Its construction took place between 1659 and 1679, under the direction of the notable architect Frei João Turriano. The temple features a simple yet grandiose design, with a single nave in a Latin cross layout, which imparts a sense of spaciousness and reverence. The main façade is adorned with sculptures, where the figure of Saint Thyrsus occupies the center, flanked by Saint Benedict and Saint Scholastica in side niches. The date 1679 engraved on the tympanum most likely marks the year of the work's completion. Besides the church, the monumental complex is composed of the conventual buildings, the cerca (the old wall that delimited the monastic space), and a processional cross, elements that together tell the story and life of a complex of great heritage value.

A Preserved and Revitalized Heritage

The historical and architectural importance of the Monastery of Santo Tirso was formally recognized in 1982, when the entire complex (encompassing the church, the convent, the monastic wall, and the processional cross) was classified as a National Monument. This classification underscores its inestimable value to Portuguese heritage. However, the 19th century brought profound transformations to the monastery's life. Following the extinction of religious orders in 1834, the vast complex underwent partial expropriation and subsequent division. Its buildings, once dedicated to monastic life, were adapted for new civil and social functions, housing the City Hall, the Courthouse, the Conde S. Bento Agricultural Asylum, and even the parish residence, demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of this historic heritage over time.

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

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