Convento de São Francisco - Portimão, Portugal
Posted by: 
Torgut
N 37° 07.740 W 008° 31.919
29S E 541571 N 4109285
A convent in ruins in the center of Portimão
Waymark Code: WMF75V
Location: Faro, Portugal
Date Posted: 09/04/2012
Views: 13
The monastery was founded in 1530. Actually, when the monks arrived, the church was already there. The beginning of the end can be found in 1755, when the major earthquake which shook the country caused the collapse of the church cupola and the destruction of several buildings of the complex. Later, when the patrimony of the Church was transferred to private ownership, the monastery structure gradually decayed; in 1884, while being used as storage for cork, a fire erupted, destroying all the inside. In 1911 it was already a ruin and the place was bought by João António Júdice Fialho, a well known industry man which used the property to support his fish canning factories.
More recently the city of Portimão has been trying to buy the monastery remnants for their current owner, the family Souza Coutinho. Actually, the family dreamed about a luxurious hotel on the location, with 60 bedrooms, swimming-pool, restaurant & etc. But nothing happened.
Full name of the abbey/monastery/convent: Convento de São Francisco
Address:
Convento de São Francisco
Portimão, Portugal
Religious affiliation: Catholic Roman, Padres Observantes da Província de Portugal.
Date founded/constructed: 1530
Web Site: [Web Link]
Status of Use: Abandoned Ruin
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