Capuchin Monastery in Sintra

The Capuchin Monastery in Sintra attracts the attention of those who are interested in the order of ascetic monks. The order got its name from the hooded robe worn by the monks. The Catholic monastery was founded in 1548, and now it looks more like ruins than a building with medieval architecture.

The history of the Capuchin Monastery in Sintra

It began with the Portuguese military commander Joao de Castro, he had a son, Alvaro, and he built a monastery. One day in the 16th century, Juan went hunting, in the midst of hunting he felt tired and decided to get some sleep to regain his strength. He had a dream that it was in this place that it was necessary to build a monastery. The commander died a year later, but managed to tell his son about his plans. The heir of Juan de Castro continued his father's work and built a Capuchin Monastery in Sintra.

It should be emphasized right away that getting to this place is quite difficult. The original name of the monastery is Convento dos Capuchos. You don't usually see many guests here. But for everyone who shows a desire to go to the monastery, there will definitely be a secluded place where you can feel like a capuchin.

Features of the Capuchin Monastery in Sintra

Almost all the buildings are cut out of the rock. Inside, you will not be greeted with the doors wide open by magnificent rooms. Instead, you'll see rooms upholstered in cork to help keep you warm and sound-proofed. Two crosses have been erected in the courtyard of the Capuchin Monastery in Sintra.: they stand on a small stone foundation. Each of them is a symbol of Golgotha, here you can drink water, sit down to relax on a bench.

According to the statute, Capuchins could not live luxuriously. They were all humble ascetics, but the monks recited more than just prayers. In the Monastery of the Capuchins in Sintra, there is a room for making medicines from herbs. There are also other rooms, for example, a kitchen, a library, an infirmary, a bathroom with a bathtub, and a separate temple. All cells and rooms have small windows. There is a stone altar in the prayer hall. The Capuchins hospitably received the pilgrims. All their meetings were held in a special hall with stone benches. There is a separate hermitage near the entrance to the Capuchin Monastery in Sintra, but it is temporarily closed to visitors.