Antigo Convento de Nossa Senhora dos Mártires e da Conceição, 16th-century convent in Sacavém e Prior Velho, Portugal.
Antigo Convento de Nossa Senhora dos Mártires e da Conceição is a 16th-century convent complex in Sacavém e Prior Velho featuring a church and a cloister. The cloister is adorned with extensive ceramic tile decorations covering its walls and corridors.
The convent was established in 1577 under King Sebastian and replaced an ancient hermitage from the 12th century. Its founding stemmed from a vow made by Miguel Moura following his wife's miraculous recovery.
The convent walls display Portuguese ceramic tiles from three different centuries, each representing distinct artistic styles from the 16th through 18th centuries. These tile decorations reflect the taste and craftsmanship of each era and tell a story of artistic evolution in a single location.
The building has been unoccupied since 2006 when the Portuguese military presence left the premises. Visitors should check accessibility beforehand, as the site remains in a transition state between its former and future uses.
Miguel Moura's personal vow was the direct catalyst for founding this convent and even prompted him to seek approval directly from Pope Gregory XIII. This direct connection to the highest church authority is an uncommon path for a convent's establishment during this period.
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