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Pousada Convento Vila Viçosa
Vila Viçosa, Portugal · Pousadas de Portugal · Core Luxury
The Convento das Chagas de Cristo was founded in 1514 by Dona Joana de Mendonça, wife of Jaime, the fourth Duke of Bragança, as a Poor Clares monastery that later became the ducal family's pantheon, a short walk from their palace in Vila Viçosa. Converted into a pousada in 1997, it now has 36 rooms in the former nuns' cells.
- 36 rooms
- Opened 1997
- Neighborhood: Vila Vicosa
About Pousada Convento Vila Viçosa
- The last nun died in 1905, ending nearly four centuries of Poor Clares life.
- The convent church became a National Monument in 1944; fabric dates around 1532-1535.
- The ducal palace of the House of Braganca is a short walk; 36 rooms occupy former nuns' cells.
History
The Pousada Convento Vila Vicosa occupies the former Convento das Chagas de Cristo, founded in 1514 by Dona Joana de Mendonca, wife of Dom Jaime, the fourth Duke of Braganca. The convent church and cloisters of this Poor Clares monastery were built through the first half of the sixteenth century, and the complex served as a religious house and later a family pantheon for the ducal House of Braganca, whose palace stands nearby in Vila Vicosa.
The last nun died in 1905, after which the buildings passed through various uses; the church was classified as a National Monument in 1944. In the late twentieth century the convent was carefully adapted into a pousada, part of Portugal's network of heritage hotels, opening in 1997. Its guest rooms occupy the former nuns' cells, and the restaurant and public spaces preserve the tranquil, cloistered character of the original monastery. The pousada is today operated within the Pousadas de Portugal portfolio managed by the Pestana Group.
The setting
Convento das Chagas de Cristo, Vila Vicosa, near the ducal palace.
Restaurants and bars
- Dom Carlos — Restaurant
- Restaurante da Pousada Convento de Vila Viçosa — Restaurant
- Antigo Refeitório — Restaurant · Alentejo cuisine
- D. Carlos — Restaurant
Experiences
- Restaurant Antigo Refeitório — Alentejo cuisine in the former convent refectory with restored frescoes, overlooking the cloisters; barbecue in summer.
- Outdoor swimming pool — Outdoor pool with spacious sun terrace and loungers.
- Wine tastings and winery visit — Adega de Borba wine tourism spaces; tour of production and tasting of regional wines.
- Bar — Regional wines, homemade soups, artisan cheeses and sausages, and scrambled eggs with farinheira.
- Tasting of regional products — Listed among activities offered, may include extra charge.
- Ducal Palace and Museums of the House of Bragança Foundation — Former residence of the House of Bragança, described as an imposing palace full of history and art.
Amenities
- Pool
- Pet-friendly
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More hotels in Vila Viçosa
- Anantara Royal Vila Viçosa Resort — Anantara · Core Luxury
- Alentejo Marmoris Hotel & Spa — Marmòris · Accessible Luxury
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