I've always felt a deep attraction to Portugal, where my parents used to take us on holiday when we were children. After living in the Lisbon region for two years, I felt a natural desire to develop a project in Portugal that would combine the art of living, historical heritage and gastronomy. During lunch with friends near Lisbon, I met the owner of the Convento de Cabanas, a passionate woman who spoke passionately about this place that she had put up for sale nearly 10 years before. Intrigued, I decided to visit the monastery, located in a part of Portugal that I didn't know. When I walked into the church in Cabanas, it was love at first sight - like a calling. Although very run-down, the place exuded an extraordinary charm and beauty. There were fountains everywhere, breathtaking peace and quiet, remarkable architecture, and a botanical park that was abandoned but teeming with greenery and potential. As an opera singer, I was immediately struck by the exceptional acoustics of the church and cloister - everything resonated magnificently. So I decided to throw myself, body and soul, into this mission. Five years of hard work later, the result has exceeded all of my expectations.
A sober 17th-century Baroque architecture rests on 12th-century Romanesque foundations, reflecting an ideal of balance, spiritual rigour and integration with nature. There are many noteworthy architectural details in local granite: façades with clean lines, simple, balanced spaces, door and window frames with discreet but refined details, original staircases. There are still ancient terracotta and stone floors and 18th-century azulejos (St Christie). Beamed ceilings (maceira in Portuguese) have been restored in traditional style. The church of Cabanas, still consecrated, but private, features historic liturgical elements, a nave in sober proportions, elegant vaults and an austere but majestic façade. It boasts exceptional acoustics. The heart of the monastery is structured around a cloister with vaulted galleries opening onto an interior garden and a baroque fountain fed by the original spring. Situated in the heart of a seven-hectare botanical park, with a river and waterfall running through it, the monastery maintains an intimate relationship with the landscape.
It dates back to the 12th century, a period marked by the expansion of the Kingdom of Portugal and the establishment of Christianity in the north. A small Benedictine community then set up a hermitage in Afife. Faithful to the rule of Saint Benedict - "Ora et Labora" (pray and work) - the monks built their first modest religious structure around a natural spring. In the 17th century, the Benedictine order rebuilt the monastery on its original foundations. Outside, the monks are developing a vast botanical park, a medicinal garden, vegetable garden and meditation area, which preserves ancient species and a geography inspired by medieval monastic gardens. In the 19th century, it was disused following the dissolution of the religious orders and the site gradually fell into oblivion.
Located in the Viana do Castelo region, between the sea and the mountains, in the heart of a seven-hectare estate, the Convento de Cabanas offers visitors a timeless experience in a place steeped in history, spirituality and architectural beauty. The estate is crossed by a crystal-clear river which you can swim in. There is also a heated swimming pool, a botanical park, an organic vegetable garden and a rose garden. Stay include a generous breakfast, served in the cloister or garden depending on the season. We will soon be offering meals featuring seasonal, local and sustainable cuisine. Guests can book massages, yoga sessions or enjoy an immersive relaxation experience with 'sound baths' in the Convento's sacred church.
"Mariana", Afife: best sea bass cooked in seaweed, a must. "Camarao”, Ancora: good fish and seafront terrace. "Maria", Moledo: tapas bar, good wine and tasteful decor. "Tasquinha da Linda”, Viana do Castelo: excellent fish, great atmosphere. "Batista, Caminha”: delicious bacalhau, good wines, charming village. The arts, crafts and traditions trail around Viana do Castelo. Iva Viana sculpts floral, mural and ornamental works in decorative plaster, inspired by refined stucco traditions. "Meadela”, traditional embroidery workshop. "Cantinho dos Bordados": hand embroidery with symbolic motifs. "Casa Sandra”: embroidery and handicrafts. The Mario Sequeira Contemporary Art Gallery (Braga), housed in a modernised former farmhouse. Vila Nova de Cerveira Market, every Saturday. Afife beach and the Camino de Compostela are just a few minutes away.
The Convento can be rented out in its entirety for a minimum of two or three nights for weddings, celebrations or private retreats. The spaces - cloister, lounges, church, garden - can be customised with the help of a dedicated team. Receptions can be held in the exceptional setting of the cloister. For more than 50 guests, an elegant marquee can be set up in the grounds, with its own personalised decor.
ref 933200
Master class in music - photography - writing workshop
Hiking - cold water baths - therapeutic sound baths in the church - massages - yoga - Qi Gong
Our chef offers regular cookery classes featuring vegetables from the garden and local produce, accompanied by tastings of carefully selected local wines. Maximum 8 people - €80 per person
Guided walks are available to explore the region between the mountains and the ocean, discovering unspoilt landscapes, charming chapels and the historic paths of the Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostela.
Discover the great wines of Portugal, from the richness of the Douro to the typical freshness of Vinho Verde. Visit a local wine farm.
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