Convento do Carmo, Lisbon 
The partially ruined Convento do Carmo (Carmelite Convent) was once Lisbon's largest convent, but it was severely damaged in the 1755 earthquake. Today open-air summer orchestral concerts are held beneath its majestic archways.
History
The convent was founded in 1389 by the knight Nuno Álvares Pereira. Álvares Pereira, who was Constable of Portugal (the supreme military commander after the King).
Carmelites from Moura in southern Portugal entered the convent in 1392. In 1404, the pious founding knight donated his wealth to the convent and, in 1423, he also became a brother of the convent.
What to See
The convent's sacristy houses the Museu Arqueológico do Carmo (Archaeological Museum), a small but worthy collection of ceramic tiles, medieval tombs, ancient coins, and other city finds.
See the Convento do Carmo Photo Gallery for more pictures of this attractive ruin.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Convento do Carmo; Carmelite Convent |
| Type of site: | Christian monastery |
| Faith: | Roman Catholic (Carmelite order) |
| Date: | 1389 |
| Architecture: | Gothic |
| Status: | Ruins |
| Address: | Largo do Carmo, Lisbon, Portugal |
| Phone: | 21/346-0473 |
| Time: | The convent is unlikely to delay you long, but the lovely square outside is a great place to pull up a café seat. |
| Hours: | Apr.-Sept., Mon.-Sat. 10-6; Oct.-Mar., Mon.-Sat. 10-5. |
| Cost: | £2.50 |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Carmelite Convent in Lisbon. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Lisbon Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Sources
- Fodor's Portugal, 7th edition.
- Carmo Convent - Wikipedia
