Convento Da Arrabida

The Convento da Arrábida is a small Franciscan monastery hidden on the wooded slope of the Serra da Arrábida, the coastal mountain range south of Lisbon near Setúbal. It was founded in 1542 by Friar Martinho de Santa Maria with the support of the Duke of Aveiro's family, who owned the land, and it was designed as a place of retreat, far from the world, in a landscape of limestone, rosemary and evergreen oak. Even today the sense of seclusion is strong, since the building sits below the ridge facing the sea.

The setting is the main attraction. The Arrábida has a Mediterranean climate and a rich plant cover that includes strawberry trees, wild olive and aromatic herbs, which is why it is protected as a natural park. The convent is arranged as a cluster of buildings spread over the slope rather than a single block, with low whitewashed structures, chapels, little shrines along the paths, and the cells of the hermits scattered through the woods. The older monastery, whose ruins can still be seen higher up the hill, was the first settlement, and the main convent was developed later.

The religious orders were abolished in Portugal in 1834, and the monks left. The buildings were then neglected for a long time, and restoration only began in the 20th century. In 1990, the property was acquired by the Fundação Oriente, a cultural foundation that promotes links between Portugal and Asia. The foundation looks after the complex and uses it for cultural events. Gardens on the property produce honey, and the paths are lined with native plants.

Visits are by prior arrangement only, in guided groups, and the convent is open for tours from Wednesday to Sunday. You need to contact the foundation in advance to book, and a small fee applies. The tour covers the church, the cloister, the cells and the gardens, and the guides explain the history of the Arrábida and the Franciscan way of life.

The convent is a good starting point for exploring the rest of the Arrábida. Below it, the fishing hamlet of Portinho da Arrábida has a sheltered beach with remarkably clear water, and there is a viewpoint, the Miradouro do Portinho, from which you can see the whole bay. Other beaches in the area include Figueirinha and Creiro, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Arrábida stands nearby. The road along the ridge is narrow and winding, and in summer parking near the beaches fills early, so go in the morning. Spring is lovely, with wildflowers in bloom, while autumn is mild and quiet. The visit suits those who enjoy quiet, contemplative places and the scenery of the coast.