Convento dos Cardaes
On Rua do Século, a Baroque convent of 1681 with Dutch tiles and gilded woodwork, open by guided tour only.
Convent of Cardaes (Convento dos Cardaes) – Associação Nossa Senhora Consoladora dos Aflitos
Founded in 1681 by D. Luísa Távora for the Discalced Carmelites, the Convento dos Cardaes, on Rua do Século, is one of the most remarkable examples of the Baroque in Lisbon. The complex survived the 1755 earthquake almost intact and has never interrupted its religious life, which explains the rarity of its sacred art. At its heart is the church, with gilded carved altars and a nave entirely lined with 17th-century Dutch tile panels, one of the largest collections of their kind outside the Netherlands; among the narrative panels are scenes from the life of St Teresa of Ávila by Jan van Oort, and the paintings of the nave are attributed to António Pereira Ravasco and André Gonçalves. After the death of the last Carmelite nun in 1876, the building was handed over to the Associação Nossa Senhora Consoladora dos Aflitos, founded in 1848, which in 1878 took in the first blind women there, received by the Dominican Sisters of St Catherine of Siena. The institution still lives in the convent, where it cares for women with special needs, and is responsible for the conservation and cultural programme of the monument. Visits are by guided tour only, in Portuguese, English or French at set times, covering the church, sacristy, cloister, refectory, upper choir and exhibition rooms in about 50 to 60 minutes.
Located at: Convento dos Cardaes
Address: Rua do Século, 123, 1200-434 Lisboa
Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00, guided tours only at set times (last entry 16:15; closed on Tuesdays)
Phone: +351 916 455 336
Coordinates: 38.714806, -9.147873
Buses: 773, 22B, 19B, 758
Tram: 24E, 28E
Metro: Restauradores (Blue), Avenida (Blue)
Train: Sintra Line, Rossio Station, Cascais Line, Cais do Sodré Station
Opened: 1681 (345 years)
