Monastery of Odivelas – Convent of St. Dinis

If you’re interested in Lisbon’s most important monasteries, don’t miss the convent of São Dinis, better known as the monastery of Odivelas. This Cistercian monastery was founded in 1295 by King Dinis. Legend has it that it came into being thanks to the divine salvation which saved the king from a bear while hunting in the Alentejo. But it’s more likely that this place of retreat, built to house Bernadine nuns, was used by the king to ensure the future of his illegitimate daughter, D. Maria Afonso, whose tomb can still be found in the high chapel. Dinis is also buried in this original Gothic complex, which mixes influences and styles that coincide with the eras when restoration work was done. Manueline traces can clearly be seen in the cloister, while the font is Renaissance and the chapels, porches and azulejo tiles all Baroque. Discover the impressive history of the monastery of Odivelas, or convent of São Dinis, a national monument right on the edges of Lisbon.