Portugal

The former hermitage is located in a small village near Cete. It was a place of pilgrimage once, so not surprisingly the pulpit is outside under the nathex. The structure is dated late 14th century, but it the style is still Romanesque.

The former hermitage is located in a small village near Cete. It was a place of pilgrimage once, so not surprisingly the pulpit is outside under the nathex. The structure is dated late 14th century, but it the style is still Romanesque, despite the slightly pointed archivolts.

A Benedictine monastery existed here already in the 9th/10th century. The construction of the church, that meanwhile is a parish church, started end of the 11th century, but got remodeled and enlarged in the 13th and 14th century, so that todays church is late Romanesque/early Gothic in style. Unfortunately the church was locked and I could not enter and see the cloister next to it.

It was pouring down, when we reached Paço de Sousa. A monastery was founded here mid 10th century. Records exist from 994 on. Egas Moniz o Aio, teacher (= o Aio) and guardian of Afonso I , the first King of Portugal, bequeasted half of his wealth against the promise to be buried here. Between 1088 and 1106 Benedictine monks from Cluny settled here. The church of today was probably erected in the first half of the 13th century, but later lots of modifications were done. The monks kept the promise, when Egas Moniz o Aio died in 1146, he was buried here - and got a fantastic tomb. Unfortunately the church was locked - and I could not see it.

It was pouring down, when we reached Paço de Sousa. A monastery was founded here mid 10th century. Records exist from 994 on. Egas Moniz o Aio, teacher (= o Aio) and guardian of Afonso I , the first King of Portugal, bequeasted half of his wealth against the promise to be buried here. Between 1088 and 1106 Benedictine monks from Cluny settled here. The church of today was probably erected in the first half of the 13th century, but later lots of modifications were done. The monks kept the promise, when Egas Moniz o Aio died in 1146, he was buried here - and got a fantastic tomb. Unfortunately the church was locked - and I could not see it. Here is the western portal.

A monastery was founded here mid 10th century. Records exist from 994 on. Egas Moniz o Aio, teacher (= o Aio) and guardian of Afonso I , the first King of Portugal, bequeasted half of his wealth against the promise to be buried here. Between 1088 and 1106 Benedictine monks from Cluny settled here. The church of today was probably erected in the first half of the 13th century, but later lots of modifications were done. The monks kept the promise, when Egas Moniz o Aio died in 1146, he was buried here - and got a fantastic tomb. Unfortunately the church was locked - and I could not see it. As the inscription is not readable any longer, so it is not clear, what "moon" and "sun" stand for.

A monastery was founded here mid 10th century. Records exist from 994 on. Egas Moniz o Aio, teacher (= o Aio) and guardian of Afonso I , the first King of Portugal, bequeasted half of his wealth against the promise to be buried here. Between 1088 and 1106 Benedictine monks from Cluny settled here. The church of today was probably erected in the first half of the 13th century, but later lots of modifications were done. The monks kept the promise, when Egas Moniz o Aio died in 1146, he was buried here - and got a fantastic tomb. Unfortunately the church was locked - and I could not see it. The head of a bull, supporting the tympanum, is just - perfect. I found a couple of such heads on churches in this area.

A monastery was founded here mid 10th century. Records exist from 994 on. Egas Moniz o Aio, teacher (= o Aio) and guardian of Afonso I , the first King of Portugal, bequeasted half of his wealth against the promise to be buried here. Between 1088 and 1106 Benedictine monks from Cluny settled here. The church of today was probably erected in the first half of the 13th century, but later lots of modifications were done. The monks kept the promise, when Egas Moniz o Aio died in 1146, he was buried here - and got a fantastic tomb. Unfortunately the church was locked - and I could not see it. On the side of the former convent´s church is the most unique medieval carving I have seen in a long time. A person climbing out of a small round window (oculus). Probably a dangerous climb, as the guy lost his head.

A monastery was founded here mid 10th century. Records exist from 994 on. Egas Moniz o Aio, teacher (= o Aio) and guardian of Afonso I , the first King of Portugal, bequeasted half of his wealth against the promise to be buried here. Between 1088 and 1106 Benedictine monks from Cluny settled here. The church of today was probably erected in the first half of the 13th century, but later lots of modifications were done. The monks kept the promise, when Egas Moniz o Aio died in 1146, he was buried here - and got a fantastic tomb. Unfortunately the church was locked - and I could not see it. A large graveyard along the church. On the other side of the church is a cloister, that was locked like the church.

A monastery was founded here mid 10th century. Records exist from 994 on. Egas Moniz o Aio, teacher (= o Aio) and guardian of Afonso I , the first King of Portugal, bequeasted half of his wealth against the promise to be buried here. Between 1088 and 1106 Benedictine monks from Cluny settled here. The church of today was probably erected in the first half of the 13th century, but later lots of modifications were done. The monks kept the promise, when Egas Moniz o Aio died in 1146, he was buried here - and got a fantastic tomb. Unfortunately the church was locked - and I could not see it. A large graveyard along the church. The little guy under the roof keeps an eye on this graveyard. He is the guardian, his main task since some years is to watch the tools against subtle thief, who may try steal them. See next photo!.

A monastery was founded here mid 10th century. Records exist from 994 on. Egas Moniz o Aio, teacher (= o Aio) and guardian of Afonso I , the first King of Portugal, bequeasted half of his wealth against the promise to be buried here. Between 1088 and 1106 Benedictine monks from Cluny settled here. The church of today was probably erected in the first half of the 13th century, but later lots of modifications were done. The monks kept the promise, when Egas Moniz o Aio died in 1146, he was buried here - and got a fantastic tomb. Unfortunately the church was locked - and I could not see it. A large graveyard along the church. Here are the tools, that can only be stored here, as the little guy under the roof keeps an eye on them (see prev. photo). No subtle thief would dare to steal them.

The monastery, that once existed here may have been founded by Benedictine monks. In later days Augustine canons lived here, before the church became a parish church. Due to an inscription, found during restauration works, it is clear, that 1180 this church existed already, though smaller than it is today, as it got enlarged at least twice. First time within the 13th century.

The monastery, that once existed here may have been founded by Benedictine monks. In later days Augustine canons lived here, before the church became a parish church. Due to an inscription, found during restauration works, it is clear, that 1180 this church existed already, though smaller than it is today, as it got enlarged at least twice. First time within the 13th century. The complete western front is probably from the first construction phase of the church. There are strong parallels to Paço de Sousa (previous uploads), only about 20kms west.

The monastery, that once existed here may have been founded by Benedictine monks. In later days Augustine canons lived here, before the church became a parish church. Due to an inscription, found during restauration works, it is clear, that 1180 this church existed already, though smaller than it is today, as it got enlarged at least twice. First time within the 13th century. The complete western front is probably from the first construction phase of the church. There are strong parallels to Paço de Sousa (previous uploads), only about 20kms west. Where in Paço de Sousa is a rose window, here are small windows, flanked by pillars.

The monastery, that once existed here may have been founded by Benedictine monks. In later days Augustine canons lived here, before the church became a parish church. Due to an inscription, found during restauration works, it is clear, that 1180 this church existed already, though smaller than it is today, as it got enlarged at least twice. First time within the 13th century. The complete western front is probably from the first construction phase of the church. There are strong parallels to Paço de Sousa (previous uploads), only about 20kms west. Just like in Paço de Sousa here are "perfect bulls", flanking the main portal.

The monastery, that once existed here may have been founded by Benedictine monks. In later days Augustine canons lived here, before the church became a parish church. Due to an inscription, found during restauration works, it is clear, that 1180 this church existed already, though smaller than it is today, as it got enlarged at least twice. First time within the 13th century. The complete western front is probably from the first construction phase of the church. There are strong parallels to Paço de Sousa (previous uploads), only about 20kms west. The side portal of the church is carved even more skilful. Here a bull and a lion flank the door.

The monastery, that once existed here may have been founded by Benedictine monks. In later days Augustine canons lived here, before the church became a parish church. Due to an inscription, found during restauration works, it is clear, that 1180 this church existed already, though smaller than it is today, as it got enlarged at least twice. First time within the 13th century. The complete western front is probably from the first construction phase of the church. There are strong parallels to Paço de Sousa (previous uploads), only about 20kms west. The side portal of the church is carved even more skilful. The head of the bull here looks really "modern" with his straight horns - and the two lions seem to share a lollipop.

The monastery, that once existed here may have been founded by Benedictine monks. In later days Augustine canons lived here, before the church became a parish church. Due to an inscription, found during restauration works, it is clear, that 1180 this church existed already, though smaller than it is today, as it got enlarged at least twice. First time within the 13th century. The complete western front is probably from the first construction phase of the church. There are strong parallels to Paço de Sousa (previous uploads), only about 20kms west. The side portal of the church is carved even more skilful. The lion´s head, opposite the head of the bull, was probably carved by the same artist. Here as well the head looks "modern" - like the symbol of a lion´s head.