Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha, Medieval monastery in Santa Clara e Castelo Viegas, Portugal
The Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha is a Gothic structure in central Portugal with a church featuring three naves of equal height, flooded with natural light through large windows. Beyond the church, an interpretive center contains exhibition areas, an auditorium, and a café to serve visitors.
A woman named Dona Mor Dias established a small convent on this site in 1286, which later came under royal patronage. In 1314, Queen Isabel of Aragon commissioned its complete reconstruction in the Gothic style, creating the building that stands today.
The name reflects its riverside location, and visitors can see objects from the daily lives of the Poor Clare nuns on display today. These pieces reveal how the community lived in seclusion and devoted themselves to their spiritual practice.
The site sits along the river, and visiting works best when you allow time to explore both the church and the exhibition while being prepared for exposed stonework and weathered surfaces. Wear sturdy shoes, as ground levels are uneven and some areas can be damp.
The nuns had to raise the monastery's floor level repeatedly to fight back against regular floods from the Mondego River until they eventually left in 1677. This ongoing struggle shows both their determination and the river's eventual triumph.
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