Igreja e Convento de São Domingos (Church & Convent of Saint Dominic), Viana do Castelo
The Igreja e Convento de São Domingos (Church & Convent of Saint Dominic) is another of the many fine and historic churches in Viana do Castelo.
History
The Igreja e Convento de São Domingos has its origins in the convent of Santa Cruz founded by the Dominican Friar Bartolomeu dos Mártires (1514-1590), once the archbishop of Braga.
Bartolomeu dos Mártires is a famous prelate who took part in the Council of Trent (1545-1563) that opposed the "heresies" of the Protestant Reformation and his statue, riding a donkey, stands in the square outside the church. In 1582, he received papal permission to resign as archbishop and retire to the convent in Viana do Castelo, where he lived largely in solitude for the remainder of his life. Bartolomeu dos Mártires was beatified in 2001 by Pope John Paul II.
The original convent was built between 1566 and 1576 by the Dominican Friar Julião Romero. Romero was also the architect of the Church of São Gonçalo in Amarante.
The simplicity of the exterior contrasts with the superb decoration of the church found within.
The church is laid out with a single nave and transept in the Latin Cross style with chapels leading off to the sides.
The highlight of the ornate interior is the gilded, carved altar of Our Lady of the Rosary by José Alvares de Araújo dating from the late 18th century. Notice the finely rendered shells, flowers and volutes in the design that is a wonderful example of Portuguese Rococo.
The drawing plan for the altar was made by the Portuguese architect André Soares.
The large interior of the church has a high, wooden ceiling done in pastel shades. Azulejos tile work depicting various Biblical scenes decorate the walls.
The church contains several other ornate altars and chapels leading off from the nave. Above the main entrance is the organ reached by a dark, wooden staircase.
The entrance façade is done in granite and dates from the 16th century. Various sculptures decorate the façade. The bell tower dates from 1707. In 1716 the the hospice, workshops and dormitories of the convent were completed, followed by the refectory, bookstore and registry office in 1744. At the time this was the largest building in Viana do Castelo.
The former convent at the side of the church can be visited and contains the original cloister and a collection of religious art. The space also presents temporary exhibitions of more contemporary art.
Access - Getting There
Convento de São Domingos
Largo de São Domingos
Monserrate
4900-330 Viana do Castelo
Tel: 258 847 701
The church opens every day at 7.30 am and closes around 7.30 pm after mass.
Mass times from Monday to Saturday: 6.30 pm
Sundays: 10.30 am and 7 pm.
The church and convent are located close to the Museu de Artas Decorativas and the fish restaurant O Pescador both in the square outside.
From the north-south main street of Avenida dos Combatentes da Grande Guerra from Viana do Castelo Station walk west along Rua Manuel Espregueira into Largo São Domingos.
