Convento de S. Gonçalo (S. Gonçalo Convent)
The Convento de S. Gonçalo is an imposing convent that emerges in the center of the town inviting us to stop for a few minutes to comtemplate this local of reference that is a National Monument since June 16, 1910.The Convento de S. Gonçalo started to be built in 1543, exactly in the same place where a shrine in honor of São Gonçalo had been built.The richness and diversity of the architectonic elements are a testimony of the several stages of its construction, which extended for 80 years, comprising several kingdoms and getting renaissance, mannerism, baroque and a 19th-century influences.The main façade, the simplest, is turned to the hillside and contrasts with the lateral façade, which is more imposing and has a magnificent portal-altarpiece and one loggia, named “Varanda dos Reis” (Kings Balcony), where are the statues of the four monarchs responsible for this construction: king D. João III, king D. Sebastião, Cardinal D. Henrique and king D. Filipe I.
S. Francisco and S. Domingos are the the protagonists on the renaissance style ground floor. Above the arch, two figures stand (with long beards) who are supposed to be the kings David and Solomon.On the second floor, in mannerist style, supported by six columns with Corinthian capitals, we find between them the sculpture of S. Gonçalo, made in stone, over a bridge with three perfect round archs with battlement.
The Convento has lateral dependences close to the church and develops in the east (on the 2nd cloister) with the Municipal Museum Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso, and finishes on the north (on the 3rd cloister) with the part of the building where the Town Hall is installed.
Fax nr. (+ 351) 255 422 050
Location: Amarante
The Convento de S. Gonçalo is an imposing convent that emerges in the center of the town inviting us to stop for a few minutes to comtemplate this local of reference that is a National Monument since June 16, 1910.The Convento de S. Gonçalo started to be built in 1543, exactly in the same place where a shrine in honor of São Gonçalo had been built.The richness and diversity of the architectonic elements are a testimony of the several stages of its construction, which extended for 80 years, comprising several kingdoms and getting renaissance, mannerism, baroque and a 19th-century influences.The main façade, the simplest, is turned to the hillside and contrasts with the lateral façade, which is more imposing and has a magnificent portal-altarpiece and one loggia, named “Varanda dos Reis” (Kings Balcony), where are the statues of the four monarchs responsible for this construction: king D. João III, king D. Sebastião, Cardinal D. Henrique and king D. Filipe I.
S. Francisco and S. Domingos are the the protagonists on the renaissance style ground floor. Above the arch, two figures stand (with long beards) who are supposed to be the kings David and Solomon.On the second floor, in mannerist style, supported by six columns with Corinthian capitals, we find between them the sculpture of S. Gonçalo, made in stone, over a bridge with three perfect round archs with battlement.
The Convento has lateral dependences close to the church and develops in the east (on the 2nd cloister) with the Municipal Museum Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso, and finishes on the north (on the 3rd cloister) with the part of the building where the Town Hall is installed.
Fax nr. (+ 351) 255 422 050
Location: Amarante
