Arouca Abbey

It was founded as a double monastery by two Asturian noblemen, Loderigo and Vandilo from Moldes, as discovered in a fragment of a notice with the initials ERO.

Thus in May 1834 King Pedro IV declared the Dissolution of the monasteries in Portugal, intending to sell the seized properties to provide for the poor.

[1] On 28 February 1701, there was a contract between the abbess and masters António Gomes and João da Costa to remake the altar for 600$000 réis.

[1] In early 1725, there was a fire in the monastery, but was followed on 22 February by another, that destroyed the abbey, the work on the Church and sleeping quarters, which included damage to recent sculptures by Braga Jacinto Vieira.

[1] By the end of the second half of the 18th century, these grand decorations ultimately lead to completion of the southern and western part of the convent, refectory, capital hall and kitchen.

[1] At the end of the 19th century, a few lines of walls, that limited the monastery and encircled the village, disappeared following the suppression of the monastic community.

[1] On 1 June 1992, the property was, once again, transferred to the IPPAR Instituto Português do Património Arquitetónico (Portuguese Institute for Architectural Patrimony), by decree 106F/92.

[1] It is a rectangular plan comprising a principal structure oriented north to south, with annexes on the smaller wings, all covered in tiled roof.

[1] The western wing is limited by two towers/lookouts, three-stories high (four on the towers), rhythmically designed with rectangular vanes with frames of stonework and marked by a system of colossal pilasters at the corners.

[1] The pilasters are place on high entablatures and decorative pinnacles at the angles, marked by the church, divided into stonework sections.

[1] The lateral portico is implanted in the middle of the navem with a double stonework frame, Tuscan pillars with pyramidal pinnacles and semi-circular decoration.

[1] The cloister is preceded by a galilee formed by arch and portal with an interrupted triangular pediment in the interior, joined to two rectangular gratings.

[1] Among the works in the Sacred Art Museum are a large group of sculptures, paintings, jewelry, ceramics, books and other artefacts.

The austere front facade of the monastery
The ornate choir stalls within the choir by António Gomes and Filipe da Silva
The triumphal archway at the chancel of the abbey
The detailed wood choir stalls
The Baroque era pipe organ