São Bernardino de Sena Convent

The São Bernardino de Sena Convent occupies Santo Antonio Hill and displays colonial architecture featuring a three-arch entrance gateway and preserved stone walls from former monastic buildings. The layout connects the Church of São Francisco with the remains of the friars' living quarters.

The convent was constructed between 1758 and 1763 as a replacement for an earlier monastery destroyed during a 1710 attack by French corsair Jean-François Duclerc. The rebuilding represented a major restoration of the Franciscan presence at this strategic location.

The Church of São Francisco continues to serve as a place of worship with a cemetery on the grounds, showing how the site has remained central to the community's spiritual life. Visitors can sense the religious continuity that has defined this location for generations.

The site operates as a Cultural Center offering guided tours, music events, heritage exhibitions, and workshops for visitors to explore. You can walk through the different spaces, which are actively used for cultural activities and group rehearsals.

A marble Lioz cross gifted by the King of Portugal to the Franciscans marks the entrance to the neighborhood named after the convent. This royal gift reflects the importance of the site in Portugal's colonial history of the region.

Location: Angra dos Reis

GPS coordinates: -23.00669,-44.32033

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:26