Las Duenas in Salamanca
The Convent of Las Duenas in Salamanca is a closed order, but the cloister is open to the public. It is a charmingly unexpected place and it is well worth a visit.
Provincial Museum in Lugo, Spain
The Museums in Lugo are fascinating and they are certainly worth the ticket price so don’t hesitate if you are in the city! We visited the Provincial Museum in Lugo but there is also the House of Mosaics, and the … Continued
Santa Maria la Real in Gradefes
Le Tart Abbey in France was established in 1132 as the first Cistercian Convent for women, I believe. The first Cistercian Convent in Spain followed in 1151 in Tulebras. In 1168 Santa Maria la Real in Gradefes was founded and … Continued
The Regional Museum in Beja
The Regional Museum in Beja was established in 1927 in the Convent of Our Lady of Conception. The building is rich and beautiful, and very feminine after the austerity of the Pousada, and I returned daily while staying in Beja.
A walk through Beja in Portugal
Visiting an area or town for the first time usually means seeing the ‘obvious’ sights first, returning if there is time and I particularly enjoyed something, then I move on to the ‘secondary’ sights, and after that I am free … Continued
Setting off in Portugal
How do you begin a trip to Portugal?
Pousada do Convento das Chagas de Cristo, Vila Vicosa
The Convento das Chagas de Cristo was founded by Dom Jaime, the 4th Duke of Braganza c.1514, apparently as a house for the ladies of the Court and unmarried daughters and with a Church where the wives of the Dukes of … Continued
Baiona Town, Galicia
The Tourist Office is very helpful and provided the map below. The town was interesting but did not seem particularly concerned about its past, although several buildings were being renovated. People were friendly and I found a jeweller who replaced … Continued