Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Seiça, 12th-century Cistercian monastery in Paião, Portugal.
Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Seiça is a monastery from the 12th century with a tall front face and two towers on the sides. The church contains a single main nave connected to several side chapels that extend from it.
King Afonso Henriques founded the monastery with a charter in 1175, establishing it as an important religious center in medieval times. Later in the 16th century, it evolved into a place of scholarly learning under a new monastic organization.
The monastery served as a spiritual center where monks lived and prayed together according to strict rules. Its presence shaped the religious life and customs of the surrounding community for centuries.
The site is currently undergoing restoration work, so visitors should expect some construction activity. It is best to check ahead about current access and any limitations before planning a visit.
After closing as a monastery in 1834, the building was used as a rice processing facility from 1911 to 1976. This unexpected secondary use shaped the site for several decades of its history.
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