Category: Religious Architecture > Convent
District: Viseu > Moimenta da Beira > Moimenta da Beira
The Old Benedictine Convent of Our Lady of Purification is situated in Terreiro das Freiras, right in the center of the village of Moimenta da Beira. Its striking presence in the locality underscores the profound connection the monument has with the history and identity of this municipality. Its central location invites a peaceful exploration of its exterior and the surrounding area.
This remarkable monument has its roots in the late 16th century, with its foundation being driven by Fernão Mergulhão. Born in Moimenta da Beira, Fernão Mergulhão was an influential figure with a remarkable ecclesiastical and legal career. His desire to establish this female monastery, one of the few of the Order of Saint Benedict dedicated to nuns in Portugal, was linked to the fact that some of his sisters were already Benedictine nuns, and also aimed at the spiritual well-being of his family. He obtained papal permission in 1594, initiating construction on the site that had been his family home.
The convent prospered throughout the centuries, benefiting from important privileges, identical to those of the Congregation of São Martinho de Tibães, and growing in the number of religious sisters and resources. Some of the nuns who lived here, such as Maria Osório, Filipa Pinto, and Maria da Encarnação, were particularly revered by the local community, and the name of the latter appears in an inscription dated 1637, next to the altar of Saint Francis Xavier. Conventual life ceased in 1812, when the monastery was closed by decision of the Bishop of Lamego.
The architecture of the old convent reveals a transition of styles, integrating Mannerist, Baroque, and Rococo elements. Its structure comprises the church, two choirs, and the various areas that integrated monastic life, such as dormitories, refectory, and cloisters, as well as a small enclosure. Inside the church, the 17th-century tiles with geometric motifs stand out, predominantly in shades of blue and yellow, lending the space a distinct and visually interesting ambiance. The coat of arms of the Mergulhão family, founders of the convent, is present both on the exterior and interior, marking its historical importance. It is on the floor of the main chapel that Fernão Mergulhão's tomb is located, with an inscription commemorating the founder and the year of his death, 1604.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.9817183,-7.6139233
Coordinates DMS: 40°58'54.2"N 07°36'50.1"W
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