Mosteiro de Arnoia

Deep within the Minho region, the Mosteiro de São Bento de Arnóia stands as a testament to centuries of history. It has also been known as the Mosteiro de São João de Arnóia. The Mosteiro de Arnóia began as a simple Benedictine monastery, possibly founded as early as 995 by D. Arnaldo Baião. Some scholars believe its origins tie to Múnio Muniz, the Alcaide of Castelo de Arnóia, around 1034. The first recorded donation to the Mosteiro de Arnóia appears in 1075. Later, Rodrigo Pais bestowed numerous properties upon the monastery in 1091. Records from 1116 mention Abbot Arvitis acquiring land for the Mosteiro de Arnóia. By 1590, the monastery housed twelve monks. An interesting turn came in 1593 when the Mosteiro de Arnóia’s income was earmarked for a seminary in Coimbra. This arrangement ceased in 1615. The Mosteiro de Arnóia underwent significant reconstruction around 1688. This date appears on the cloister fountain and a doorway. The renovations continued into the early 18th century. The year 1706 marks the triumphal arch. By 1714, sixteen monks resided within the Mosteiro de Arnóia’s walls. They oversaw the Igreja de São Pedro de Britelo and curacies in Paradanã and Rebordelo. In 1726, the church was described as recently built, yet its foundation was already among the oldest in the Basto region. The Mosteiro de Arnóia’s story takes a dramatic turn with Friar João de São José Queirós. He became the monastery’s superior, then was exiled to Brazil by the Marquês de Pombal. There, he became Bishop of Grão-Pará. Queirós returned to the Mosteiro de Arnóia in 1764, where he died later that year. His cell is preserved within the monastery. The late 18th century saw the addition of the richly carved choir stalls. Following the dissolution of religious orders in 1834, the Mosteiro de Arnóia served the Arnóia parish. The Santa Casa da Misericórdia de São Bento de Arnóia was established here in 1868. Part of the monastery became the Hospital Civil de São Bento de Arnóia. After the hospital’s closure and subsequent reopening, the state took control in 1976. In 1982, hospital services moved, and the monastery returned to the Misericórdia. Today, the Mosteiro de Arnóia continues to serve the community as the Lar D. Maria Olímpia Mota Guedes. This includes a retirement home and kindergarten.