Wonder what stories these stones could tell. We are standing before the Mosteiro de S. Miguel de Bustelo. This baroque monument is also known as the Igreja Paroquial de Bustelo or Igreja de São Miguel. It’s located in the parish of Bustelo in Penafiel.
The Mosteiro de S. Miguel de Bustelo has a rich history. Its reconstruction began on August 13, 1633. The building we see today is a complete reformulation. It replaced an earlier Romanesque monastery from the 10th century. Imagine monks walking these grounds centuries ago.
Until the liberal revolution of 1832-34, it was a Benedictine monastery. The monks were then expelled. Part of the monastery was expropriated and sold to private individuals. Today, much of it lies in ruins. However, a good portion of the old monastery remains intact. The church is a prime example of this preservation. The Mosteiro de S. Miguel de Bustelo has been classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1984.
The founding of the Mosteiro de S. Miguel de Bustelo dates back to the 10th century. Its existence is confirmed as early as 1065. It was likely founded by the eldest son of Nuno Pais. He was an illustrious nobleman from the Sousões family. Initially, it followed indigenous monasticism. By 1201, it had become Benedictine. Until 1417, it was governed by perpetual abbots. Then, it began to be led by commendatory abbots.
Back then the medieval monastery would have been significantly smaller than it is today. The church had only one bell tower and three altars. With the creation of the Portuguese Benedictine Congregation in the 16th century. The Mosteiro de S. Miguel de Bustelo was reformed. It was definitively integrated into this Congregation in 1596. The mother house became the Monastery of São Martinho de Tibães in Braga. From then on, the Mosteiro de S. Miguel de Bustelo and others in the Congregation. They were governed by triennial abbots. They were elected in the General Chapter at the Monastery of Tibães in early May. The grand construction we see started on August 13, 1633. It transformed the medieval monastery into the building we know today.
In 1834, the Mosteiro de S. Miguel de Bustelo was extinguished. It was dismembered and almost all of its contents were lost. The church became a parish church. Shortly after, the cloister and the eastern wing of the monastery were acquired by the Parish of Bustelo. The remaining convent complex remained in private hands until 1991. That year, the Parish acquired it.
The church of the Mosteiro de S. Miguel de Bustelo has a cruciform plan. It boasts considerable dimensions. The chancel and the High Choir stand out. Construction of the church began in 1695. It started with the main facade. It was only completed in 1752. That’s when the chancel was finished.
In the side chapels, there are three altars. One features the image of Our Lady of Health. She has been venerated for a long time at the Mosteiro de S. Miguel de Bustelo. Her feast is celebrated on Easter Monday. The church has four more altars. The grandeur of the church is reflected in the high altar. It is in the Joanine style. It is dedicated to Bustelo’s patron saint, Saint Michael. Also to the founder of the Benedictines, Saint Benedict. The Eucharistic Throne is at the center. The still-preserved High Choir has a chair attributed to the Braga architect André Soares. It includes eleven oil paintings depicting the life of Saint Benedict and his sister, Saint Scholastica. There are two balconies in the Choir. One was for a pipe organ. Today, it is in the Misericórdia church in Penafiel. It was moved there after the extinction of the Religious Orders.
The monastery itself consists of a cloister and four dormitories. They correspond to the four cardinal points. Its geographical location offers splendid views from the old dormitories. In addition, there were cellars, granaries, a refectory, and a kitchen. Construction began in 1633. It was only completed in the 18th century. In the center of the cloister, you can see the mythological hero Hercules. There is also a sundial on the north side of the cloister.
After the extinction of the religious orders. This followed the liberal revolution of 1832-34. Much of the monastery was expropriated. Today, the complex is largely in ruins. Yet, it remains captivating to visit. Imagine its former grandeur.