Capuchos Convent, Convent in Colares, Portugal
The Convento dos Capuchos is a small Franciscan convent from the 16th century, built into the granite rocks of the Serra de Sintra, near Colares, Portugal. Its cells and chapel are carved directly into the rock face, and the low doorways and ceilings are lined with cork.
The convent was founded in 1560 by D. Álvaro de Castro, fulfilling a vow made by his father D. João de Castro. It housed a strict branch of the Franciscan order until it was abandoned in the 19th century.
The convent sits well outside the center of Sintra and is best reached by taxi or organized tour, as the surrounding terrain is uneven and requires sturdy shoes. The site is managed by Parques de Sintra, so checking current opening times before visiting is a good idea.
The monks used cork not just to seal the walls but to line the ceilings and doorframes as protection against damp and cold, making it one of the only buildings of its kind in Portugal. Walking through it, visitors have to stoop through the low cork-lined doorways, which were deliberately kept small to encourage humility.
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