Convento dos Capuchos Audio Guide
Explore Convento dos Capuchos with Stanza's GPS-triggered offline audio guide.
About the Tour
A historic, austere 16th-century Franciscan monastery known for its integration into the natural landscape and use of cork-lined cells. It is located within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.
What you will hear
The Portico of the Rocks
This dramatic entrance features two massive granite boulders that form a natural gateway, illustrating the convent's perfect integration with the Sintra landscape.
The Portico of Rocks
Two massive granite boulders form a natural entrance, marking the symbolic threshold between the physical and spiritual worlds.
Terreiro do Campanário and the Church Facade
The exterior of the church is remarkably humble. This area introduces the community's spiritual center and their simple methods of communication via the bell tower.
The Humble Church Facade
Looking more like a rustic mountain cottage than a church, this facade reflects the community's radical embrace of poverty.
The Courtyard Bell
A small, solitary bell hanging from a granite arch once regulated every aspect of daily life for the convent's residents.
The Church and the Shell Altar
Inside the church, the decoration is minimal but unique, featuring mosaics made from local materials like shells and broken tiles rather than precious metals.
Detail of the Mosaic
Close observation reveals the intricate patterns of pebbles and blue-and-white tile shards used to create a humble form of religious art.
The Shell Altar
This unique altar features a 'poor man's mosaic' crafted from discarded shells and pottery shards instead of gold or marble.
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