Convento dos Cardaes
17th-century Carmelite convent in the Bairro Alto, visitable only on guided tours, with a church, sacristy, cloister and exhibition rooms.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Convento dos Cardaes was founded in 1681 for Discalced Carmelite nuns by D. Luísa de Távora, who financed the conversion of a former recolhimento (house of retreat) at the site of the Cardais. The royal authorisation dates from December 1681, and the first nuns moved in on 8 December of that year. The work, completed around 1703, was entrusted to the founder's grandson.
The exterior is austere, but the interior is very rich, with gilded woodwork, tiles of Dutch origin, marble inlays and paintings by artists such as Bento Coelho da Silveira and André Gonçalves. The building withstood the 1755 earthquake almost undamaged, which makes it one of the rare historic complexes in Lisbon in that situation.
After the death of the last nun, in 1876, the convent from 1878 onwards housed an institution supporting blind women. It was classified as a Property of Public Interest in 1940. Today it remains a religious and social space, where young adults with special needs live, and part of the building can be visited on guided tours, the proceeds of which support this mission.
Highlights
- Guided visit of the church, sacristy, cloister, refectory and choir loft
- Gilded woodwork and tiles of Dutch origin
- 17th-century paintings by Bento Coelho da Silveira and André Gonçalves
- Convent that withstood the 1755 earthquake almost intact
- Shop with convent products
Permanent exhibition
- Visita guiada ao Convento dos Cardaes – Route through the church, sacristy, cloister, refectory, choir loft and exhibition rooms of the convent.
Admission & discounts
The convent does not publish the prices of guided visits. Holders of the Lisboa Card receive a 20% discount.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Shop with convent products made on site, at the museum's address.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 50 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The visit is always guided and lasts about 50 minutes. It takes place in Portuguese and English from Wednesday to Monday, and in French on Mondays and Wednesdays. Advance booking is recommended, especially for groups. |
