Convent or Monastery of São João de Tarouca (and church)

Category: Religious Architecture > Convent

District: Viseu > Tarouca > São João de Tarouca > Couto

Location

The Monastery of São João de Tarouca is located in the Couto area, which is part of the locality of São João de Tarouca, in the municipality of Tarouca. Its placement in this location offers an experience of tranquility, characteristic of the serene environments frequently chosen for the founding of monastic communities. Those approaching the monastery encounter a setting where the vast history of the building merges with the surrounding landscape.

The Cistercian Roots

This remarkable monastery is recognized as the first Cistercian order building to be constructed on Portuguese territory, with its foundation dating back to the 12th century. Its creation was intimately linked to the very birth of the kingdom of Portugal, as the Cistercian monks played a supportive role in D. Afonso Henriques' aspirations to the throne. This initial patronage resulted in significant encouragement from the first Portuguese monarch, who contributed to the expansion of the order in the country and to the development of the monastery itself over the centuries.

Traces of History and Monastic Life

Throughout its existence, the monastery accumulated various architectural styles, witnessing different eras and interventions. Despite an apparent austerity in its lines, archaeological investigations have brought to light surprising details about the daily life of the monks. These studies revealed that the community enjoyed a life with certain comforts, including a varied diet and the use of good quality faience. After the dissolution of religious orders in the 19th century, much of the monastic complex was dismantled and used as a source of materials. However, the monastery's main church was preserved, being transformed into a parish church, and today houses a remarkable collection of sacred art that once belonged to the order and was distributed throughout the various wings of the old monastery.

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