Convento de São Paulo, sito na serra de Ossa, incluindo azulejos setecentistas que revestem o seu interior, o retábulo fingido da capela-mor, os 2 fontanários em mármore, uma fonte decorativa e os jardins circundantes, cultural heritage monument in Redondo, Portugal
The Convento de São Paulo sits on a hillside in the Serra de Ossa near Redondo, with a complex layout including a church with twin bell towers, courtyards, and multiple levels following the hill's contours. The interior features thousands of blue ceramic tiles from the 1700s, marble fountains, decorative water basins, and surrounding gardens that extend across the entire property.
Monks first settled here in the 4th century, but the site was destroyed by an earthquake in 446. A new convent was rebuilt in the late 1100s and eventually became an important religious center visited by kings and church leaders throughout the medieval period.
The convent's name references Saint Paul and the eremitic tradition of solitary religious life. Visitors can observe how the site was organized around communal spaces, with gardens and water sources serving as focal points for the monks' daily routines and spiritual practices.
The property sits on sloping terrain, so wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for elevation changes as you move between different parts of the site. Pathways are well-maintained and clearly defined, making it easy to navigate through gardens, fountains, and buildings at your own pace.
The fountains at the convent served as gathering places for surrounding villagers and bore special names like the Dragon Fountain and structures decorated with dolphin sculptures. These water features were far more than practical installations; they formed the social and spiritual heart of the wider community.
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