Considering its stones, what stories could the Mosteiro de Vilela tell? This important convent complex has medieval origins. It underwent significant renovations in modern times. Now it stands classified as a Public Interest Monument.
The founding of the Mosteiro de Vilela dates back to the 10th century. In 1128, D. Teresa granted it a charter. Initially, it was inhabited by the Benedictine Order. Later it was occupied by the Canons Regular of St. Augustine. In 1595 they joined the Congregation of Santa Cruz de Coimbra. By the early 17th century, it was united permanently with the Monastery of Serra do Pilar.
In 1085 there was the first mention of the Mosteiro de Vilela. It seemed to be a well-established institution. There was a dispute over alienated goods. These goods had been donated to “Frater Abdella cognomento Patre Abdellaz.” This included rustic buildings and parts of the churches of S. Salvador and Sta. Marinha de Figueira.
Gelvira Brandilaz made a donation in 1103. She gave properties inherited from her grandparents and parents. The donation was to “Baselika Sancti Stephani.” It was described as being located in the cemetery of Vilela. It was said to be in the “land” of Ferreira below Mount Vandoma.
Another donation occurred in 1115. Ermesinda Pais donated a salt pan in the mouth of the Leça River. In 1118 Gila Pais donated her properties. She gave them to the Mosteiro de Santo Estêvão de Vilela. She wanted the clerics and priests living there to possess them. They were to live under the rule of Prior D. Afonso Pais. They were to live a holy and religious life according to the rule of St. Augustine.
D. Teresa recognized its importance in the early 12th century. In 1128, she granted it a charter. She donated everything within its boundaries. These boundaries are now those of the parish. Within the granted area, a farmer lived in 1158. The farmer paid a yearly fee to the crown. It included a portion of bread, a hen, and ten eggs.
The Mosteiro de Vilela appears in parish records from 1320-1321. It was taxed at one hundred and fifty pounds. This was despite its extensive possessions. It was less than many churches without monasteries.
António Brandão died in 1590. After his death, the monastery was joined to the Congregation of Santa Cruz de Coimbra. They took possession in 1595. Three-year priors followed with the first election on November 9, 1595. In 1612, the convent was united in perpetuity to the Convent of Serra do Pilar.
By the early 18th century, the Mosteiro de Vilela was in dire straits. There were only two canons left. One served as a procurator. The other as president. The income received by the Serra do Pilar was around 800,000 réis per year. When the liberals dissolved the monasteries in 1834, there were five religious members. They left taking the famous relic of St. Stephen. It was housed in a silver arm in the church.
The church’s main facade features a central body. It is flanked by two towers. These towers are nearly free-standing. They have quadrangular pyramidal roofs. The central body is crowned by a triangular pediment. The portal’s crown has an interrupted pediment with inverted volutes. The niche above the window houses a granite image of Saint Augustine.
The church has a simple design. It consists of a single nave without a transept or side chapels. The chancel is smaller. The retable at the top of the chancel is Neoclassical. It has Rococo elements.
The old monastery building has three wings. They form a quadrangular space that is not enclosed. The central door is the building’s main entrance. It features a complex set of curved aletas. The frontão’s field has an oval shield. It displays a fleur-de-lis and what appears to be a bird. Four C-shaped ornaments surround it. These ornaments contain shells of Rococo style.
The Mosteiro de Vilela, now owned by the municipality since 2006, offers us a glimpse into Portugal’s religious and architectural evolution. It shows a journey from medieval origins to modern-day preservation.