Convent of Arrábida

The Convent of Arrábida is a Franciscan convent on the southern slope of the Serra da Arrábida, in the municipality of Setúbal, founded in 1542 by Friar Martinho de Santa Maria on land granted by the first Duke of Aveiro. The convent is spread over 25 hectares of chapels, cells and paths that follow the slope of the serra, inside the Arrábida Natural Park.

The Fundação Oriente owns the convent since 1990.

What to see at the Convent of Arrábida

Old Convent: the first cells, cut into the limestone of the cliff by the friars, at the highest point of the site.
New Convent: the lower buildings of the following centuries, with the church and the living quarters.
Chapels and hermitages: small chapels and hermit cells along paths and stairways on the slope.
View: the convent looks south over the Atlantic and the coast of the Arrábida.

History of the Convent of Arrábida

1542: Friar Martinho de Santa Maria and four friars settle on the serra and found the convent.
Following century: the community extends the convent down the slope with chapels, hermitages and the New Convent.
1834: Portugal dissolves its religious orders and the friars leave the convent.
1940s and 1950s: the Palmela family, owners of the site, restore the convent.
1990: the Fundação Oriente acquires the convent.

Visiting the Convent of Arrábida

Visits: the convent is visited by appointment, on the days set by the Fundação Oriente.
Access: the convent is reached from the road over the Serra da Arrábida, between Setúbal and Portinho da Arrábida.