Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Salzedas

Edging the old Jewish Quarter (judiaria) of Lamego, the Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Salzedas became one of the richest monasteries in Portugal when it was founded in the mid-1100s. While some would say it's now showing its age, careful preservation is continuing to ensure this important historic monument survives for a further 900-plus years.

Dominating the area's other structures, the monastery was created as a place of worship for the Cistercian order of monks. It was largely funded by members of the then king's household, perhaps to curry favour with both the divine and the ever-powerful Catholic church.

Remodelled during the 1700s, that's the face the monastery presents to the world today. However, within the cool interior it's still possible to uncover aspects that date from the original structure and help to tell its long and sometimes complicated history.

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