Igreja de Santa Maria de Cós, Monastery church in Coz, Portugal
Igreja de Santa Maria de Cós is a monastery church in Coz with a simple exterior that contrasts sharply with its richly decorated interior featuring baroque embellishments and gilded woodwork throughout. The building combines functional layout with ornate artistic details in its various sections.
The monastery was founded in 1279 by Abbot Fernando and grew into one of Portugal's wealthiest female religious communities by the 16th century. This prosperity shaped the region's development and influence for generations.
The church displays ten blue and white tile panels showing scenes from Bernard of Clairvaux's life, which reflect how Portuguese religious buildings used ceramic art to tell sacred stories.
The church is typically open for visitors during weekday mornings and Friday afternoons, as well as weekend afternoons, allowing you to explore the interior at your own pace. It's wise to check current opening hours beforehand and allow adequate time to observe the decorative details throughout the space.
The choir section contains 106 wooden chairs arranged in long rows, serving as a physical reminder of the large female community that once gathered here daily. This remarkable number of seats reveals much about the scale and structure of religious life that took place within these walls.
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