Monastery of São João de Tarouca
Monastery of São João de Tarouca
Monastery of São João de Tarouca
4.5
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
About
The male Cistercian monastery of São João de Tarouca was the first Cistercian monastery built in Portugal. It was founded in 1140 and its construction started in 1154. One of the most preserved monastic buildings is the church, which preserves its Cistercian Romanesque style. The sacristy, built in 1704, keeps one of the most impressive portuguese collections of Delft like tiles. From the remaining monastic area, the extensive archaeological excavations made between 1998 and 2007, allowed to identify the original medieval monastic dependences.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
54 reviews
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NekoCat
Franklin, MA680 contributions
Sept 2022
We stopped off to see the old Monastery but not very prepared. We could see the ruins and archeological site next to the cathedral, but not sure if it was actually open or how to get in. We then walked into the small town and noticed someone in uniform standing outside a governmental building gabbing to friends. Turns out this was the museum and ticket office. You would think a park employee would help two clueless tourists walking around instead of just ignoring them, hmm.
Once we figured out the system (buy a token for a turn-style to enter the ruins) we were able to start exploring. Sunday morning we had the place to ourselves. The ruins are quite extensive and a solid hour or more could be spent. The area is very scenic with the surrounding vineyards, flower gardens and pretty hillsides. Once Mass ended, we were able to visit the cathedral which is quite impressive and allows access to other rooms not normally seen.
This is worth a visit if in the area and I recall the site fee was only 3 EUR pp.
Once we figured out the system (buy a token for a turn-style to enter the ruins) we were able to start exploring. Sunday morning we had the place to ourselves. The ruins are quite extensive and a solid hour or more could be spent. The area is very scenic with the surrounding vineyards, flower gardens and pretty hillsides. Once Mass ended, we were able to visit the cathedral which is quite impressive and allows access to other rooms not normally seen.
This is worth a visit if in the area and I recall the site fee was only 3 EUR pp.
Written 16 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valéria
Porto, Portugal932 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
It was such a great experience! We first visited the church, it was immaculate! Later the ruins outside, incredible! And the museum is fantastically done!
Our guide was so friendly and nice! Explaining everything and answer our questions!
Strongly recommend!
Our guide was so friendly and nice! Explaining everything and answer our questions!
Strongly recommend!
Written 18 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth P
15 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
Spent hours exploring the ruins of the Monastery (we were the only visitors) and visiting the excellent accompanying museum. If you are into archeology the 10 year dig is well documented..the church architecture is stunning...it is a quiet and magical place.
Written 19 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jean N
Worcester, UK256 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
The church is quite nice inside. But there is no information to explain anything. We went to the building opposite to buy tickets to go round the monastery ruins. They are labelled with numbers but no map was given to explain. The museum has finds from the site but could be better. The site is worth a visit
Written 10 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wendyanddavid536
Solihull, UK2,122 contributions
Sept 2022
A lovely little church built by the Cistercians in about 1200AD in a very simple style, but much remodelled and adorned later as the Cistercians abandoned their ideals of poverty and simplicity.
Written 16 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo M
Perth, Australia518 contributions
Sept 2018
Our tour guide told us this abbey is from 1124 it has a gilded high alter which looks out of place here.
Written 28 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
scvrose
Fiddletown, CA1,194 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
We stopped by here and enjoyed the church which had many special artifacts. Wine was important to the Monks so grapes were in many of the carvings. Worth a visit.
Written 28 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tiago Borlido
Viana do Castelo, Portugal345 contributions
Jan 2019 • Family
The monastery church is definitely a surprise; while it may seem austere from the exterior, the interior is full of baroque tile and gilded woodcarving. A must!
Written 6 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PedroRBC
Porto, Portugal287 contributions
Nov 2016 • Friends
It was the first cistercian monastery to be built in Portugal in the middle of the XII century.
The church is astonishing, unfortunately couldn't take pictures from inside.
The monastery aside is in ruins giving a magical aura to the complex.
The area around with a river running down the monastery and the mountains around is just beautiful
The church is astonishing, unfortunately couldn't take pictures from inside.
The monastery aside is in ruins giving a magical aura to the complex.
The area around with a river running down the monastery and the mountains around is just beautiful
Written 21 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
505crowie
Launceston, Australia190 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
The church history and area is well worth the visit and village was a great little site but in my view not the most memorable part of a journey through the area but depending on your religion and previous visits to sites of a similar nature will influence your views on the time you need to spend there. The monastic garden was interesting but pretty basic really and the fact that so much of the site has not been restored and allowed to fall into dis repair adds nothing to the venue
Written 21 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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