What if poverty was a conscious choice? That’s the essence of the Convento de Santo António dos Capuchos. We are standing before a testament to a life of austerity and spiritual devotion. This place is more than just old stones and quiet corners. It’s a window into the souls of the Franciscan monks who once called it home.
Established in 1560, the Convento de Santo António dos Capuchos embodies the ideals of Saint Francis of Assisi. D. Álvaro de Castro, state advisor to King D. Sebastião, initiated the construction. He fulfilled a vow to his father, D. João de Castro. His father dreamed of building a simple temple dedicated to contemplation and introspection. The monks sought spiritual perfection through detachment from the world. They renounced earthly pleasures.
The convent is also known as the Cork Convent. Cork was abundantly used in the coverings and decoration. It received the name Convento de Santa Cruz da Serra de Sintra.
Let’s step inside and imagine the lives of the monks. Their days were filled with prayer, manual labor and quiet contemplation. They embraced poverty as a virtue. They sought to strip away all distractions from their spiritual journey.
King Filipe I of Portugal visited the Convento de Santo António dos Capuchos in 1581. He famously said, “In all my kingdom, I have two things that greatly please me. El Escorial, for being so rich, and the Convento de Santa Cruz, for being so poor.”
One of the most remarkable figures associated with this convent was Friar Honório. Legend says he lived as a hermit. He dwelled in a small grotto in the woods near the convent. He ate only bread and water. This was after he had fallen into temptation.
The church is classified as a Property of Public Interest. The classification includes the cistern opening. It also encompasses the tile-paneled dependencies, the cloister, and the grand staircase. The mouth of the cistern holds the oldest Portuguese sundial. You can find it in the “Pátio do Relógio” at the entrance to the Hematology Service of the Capuchos Hospital. It is signed “FPL 1586”.
For 250 years, the Convento de Santo António dos Capuchos remained a place of worship. It became a pilgrimage site. Franciscan friars lived here. Locals considered them “holy men”. They shared the philosophy expressed in this place.
In 1834, religious orders were abolished in Portugal. The convent was abandoned. Later, the 2nd Count of Penamacor bought it. In 1873, he sold the property to Sir Francis Cook, the 1st Viscount of Monserrate.
The Portuguese State acquired the monument in 1949. By this time, the convent’s degradation was increasingly visible. Some works were carried out at the site around this time.
The Convento de Santo António dos Capuchos is more than just a historical site. It’s a reminder of the power of simplicity. It encourages us to reflect on our own lives and values. As we leave this tranquil place, may we carry with us a renewed appreciation. May we reflect on the beauty of austerity and the importance of inner peace.