Convento Nossa Senhora do Desterro

  • Convento Nossa Senhora do Desterro - Monchique
    Convento Nossa Senhora do Desterro
    Peter Broster CC BY-SA
  • Nossa Senhora do Desterro ruins
    Nossa Senhora do Desterro ruins
    muffinn CC BY-SA
  • Nossa Senhora do Desterro ruins - Monchique
    Nossa Senhora do Desterro
    muffinn CC BY-SA

A fifteen-minute uphill walk from the cobbled streets of central Monchique is the Convento Nossa Senhora do Desterro. This ruined seventeenth century monastery had been used by the Franciscan order of monks until one day in 1755 when it was shaken to its foundations by the same earthquake that destroyed much of Lisbon.

Since then, it was first partially rebuilt and then eventually abandoned for a second time, creating a unique, eerie atmosphere that has seen the natural surroundings slowly creep among the ancient stones, including what is reputed to be Europe's largest magnolia tree.

Well-worth the climb for the views back towards Monchique alone, the monastery stands on private land, but for years the owners have been happily welcoming the inquisitive in to explore what remains.

Address

Caminho do Convento
Monchique
8550

Phone

+351 282 910 200

Attraction type

{{ title }}

Monchique travel guide »

Rising up between the Algarve and neighbouring Alentejo region is the Serra de Monchique, a range of rolling mountains clad in heavy forest. Here you will find the highest point on the Algarve; standing at 902m (2,959ft) is the peak of Fóia with its all encompassing views which span the Algarve's south and west coasts all the way to Cabo de São Vicente.A few kilometres to the east of Fóia is the…