Igreja e antigo Convento de Nossa Senhora da Boa Hora, Augustinian convent in Ajuda, Portugal.
The Convento de Eremitas Descalços de Santo Agostinho is a monastery building in Ajuda with stone walls, arched windows, and a central courtyard following Portuguese religious architecture. The rooms remain in their original layout today, showing the monastic structure with cells, refectory, and chapel.
The convent was founded in 1663, marking the arrival of the Discalced Augustinian Order in Portugal and their first settlement in Lisbon. It was later taken over by military authorities and converted into a barracks, fundamentally changing its original religious purpose.
The convent embodies the lifestyle of the Discalced Augustinian hermits, who chose plain garments and simple living quarters as signs of their spiritual commitment. Visitors can still see this tradition of austerity reflected in the rooms and modest furnishings throughout the building.
The building is today managed by the Ministry of National Defense and maintains regular opening hours for visitors. Information panels throughout explain the history of the place and help guide you through the different rooms.
The convent shows a rare blend of religious and military use, where the original structure was partly preserved through these different purposes. Architectural details reveal this dual history subtly as you move through the rooms.
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