Convento das Bernardas

This former monastery Convent das Bernardas - Rua Arquiteto Souto Moura 43 - in Tavira belonged to the Order of the Cistercians. For 300 years it was the home of the nuns of the Bernardes Convent, who were known for their egg-based sweets, toffees and religious icons. After the nuns left the monastery, it was sold by public auction in 1834 to a manufacturer who had a dough factory in it for many years.

When the Entrepots company acquired the property, they asked architect Eduardo Souto de Moura to draw up a plan for the restoration and conversion into 78 apartments of T0-T3. The project was completed in 2012 and the first sale was started. In addition to the78 apartments, the complex has two swimming pools, including one with salt water in the courtyard.

Despite the necessary interventions, architect Eduardo Souto da Moura has succeeded in a great way in preserving the old private atmosphere of the monastery building. By making careful openings in the old monastery walls, he manages to get enough daylight to also meet the housing requirements of a twenty-first century resident.

The design and finish of this complex are of the absolute top, just as you would expect from an architect who was awarded with the Pritzker Prize in 2011 - the Nobel Prize for architects. As a reward for his efforts, the street in front of the monastery is named after Eduardo Souto de Moura.

And...the monestary is a gated Community. The last time I was there i was standing in front of a closed door. Than fortunately somebody was leaving and the door closed... very slowly, just enough to put my foot between it.

Photos taken from website: ttps://www.archdaily.com.br/br/769152/convento-das-bernardas-eduardo-souto-de-moura