Convento dos Capuchos

About the museum

The Convento dos Capuchos, also known as the Convento da Santa Cruz, is a former convent of the Order of Saint Francis, located in the Sintra hills, in the parish of Colares. According to legend, the Viceroy of India, D. João de Castro, fell asleep in the shade of a rock during a hunt and saw in a dream the need to build a temple there. He died in 1548 without fulfilling the promise, which his son inherited, and the convent was founded in 1560 by D. Álvaro de Castro for Franciscan friars of the strictest observance.

The original community had eight friars. Among them, Frei Honório stood out; according to tradition, he lived to almost a hundred years and spent the last three decades of his life in penance in a small grotto within the convent grounds.

With the extinction of the male religious orders in 1834, the friars were forced to leave the building, which in the 19th century was bought by Francis Cook, Viscount of Monserrate. In 1949 the State acquired it and, since 2000, the convent has been in the care of Parques de Sintra – Monte da Lua, which is responsible for its restoration. It has been classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1948 and is open to visitors.

Highlights

• Corredor das Celas and Coro Alto
• Church, refectory and kitchen of the convent
• Terreiro das Cruzes and Chapel of the Passion of Christ
• Casa das Águas and convent grounds
• Landscape of the Sintra hills

Operated by

Parques de Sintra – Monte da Lua

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Residents of Portugal have free admission on Sundays and national public holidays, on presentation of the Cartão de Cidadão or another identity document and a certificate of residence at the ticket office with in-person service.

Prices: adult (18–64 years) €11, young person (6–17 years) €9, senior (over 65) €9. Buying tickets for more than one site in the same purchase gives a discount (5% for 2 sites, 6% for 3, 7% for 4, 8% for 5 and 10% for 6). The Amigo dos Parques de Sintra card allows visits to the monuments as often as you like for one year. The ticket is valid only for the chosen date; the date can be changed until 18:00 the day before.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

For people with disabilities the ticket has a 70% reduction.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Parques de Sintra organises family activities for children aged 3 to 12 and birthday parties at various monuments.

Getting there & parking

By car, from Lisbon or Mafra, reach Colares (IC19 or IC30 and EN247); in Colares follow the direction of Cabo da Roca as far as Pé da Serra, and there take the EN247-3 to the convent. GPS coordinates: 38°46′58.48″ N, 9°26′8.86″ W.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

Parques de Sintra makes 24 spaces at various monuments available for events; the conditions are set out in the brochure and the regulations on the company's website.

Plan your visit