The Mosteiro de Singeverga stands before you, bathed in the golden light of a late afternoon sun. A sense of tranquility hangs in the air, whispering tales of monastic life and spiritual devotion.
The Mosteiro de Singeverga, a Benedictine monastery, was founded in 1892 by monks from the Monastery of São Martinho de Cucujães. Since then, the monastery has seen its share of challenges and triumphs, a testament to the resilience of faith and the enduring spirit of its inhabitants.
Originally, the monks established the monastery in a rural area of Portugal, a place known for its fertile land. Their life revolved around the principles of “Ora et Labora” – “Pray and Work”. They tended to the fields, their hands calloused from the work, their hearts filled with prayer.
In 1938, the monastery was elevated to an abbey, and its first abbot was Dom Plácido de Carvalho. A Hungarian artist, Attila Mendly de Vétyemy, who lived in the monastery during the 1940s, painted a portrait of Dom Plácido, a work that still hangs in the monastery today.
Over the years, the Mosteiro de Singeverga has grown and expanded, embracing new challenges and responsibilities. They established schools, worked on agricultural projects, and even ventured into missionary work in Angola.
Today, the monastery remains a beacon of spirituality and community, attracting visitors from all walks of life. Whether you find solace in its serene gardens or delve into its rich historical archive, the Mosteiro de Singeverga offers a sanctuary for the soul, a place to reflect, contemplate, and find peace.