Amarante's origin dates to the primitive peoples that hunted and gathered in the Serra da Aboboreira, sometime during the Stone Age, and extended during the Bronze Age and later the Romanization of the Iberian peninsula.
The first prominent building erected during the area of Amarante was likely the Albergaria do Covelo do Tâmega sometime in the 12th century, by order of Queen D. Mafalda, wife of D. Afonso Henriques. These types of shelter were constructed in small settlements and were used by travellers, especially the poor who transited the territory. Permanent settles fixed themselves around the local churches, such as the Church of São Veríssimo and Church of Lufrei, resulting in growth during the intervening years.
The urban agglomeration of Amarante became important and gained visibility with the arrival of Gonçalo (1187-1259) a Dominican friar who was born in Tagilde (Guimarães), who settled in the area following a pilgrimage to Rome and Jerusalém. He was instrumental in the development of the region, with many local structures attributed to his efforts, including the construction of the stone bridge across the Tâmega River. Following his death, Amarante became the destination of pilgrimages and grew substantially.
In the main chapel, there are two smaller chapels, on the north side of S.Gonçalo's tomb. On the opposite side, there is this chapel of the Offerings, with the image of the saint.
The S. Gonçalo de Amarante convent was founded in 1540 by D. João III, and the first stone was laid in 1543 (by Frei João de Ledesma), beginning the works in the areas of annexes and services, bedrooms, dining rooms and sacristy . Its construction...
The S. Gonçalo de Amarante convent was founded in 1540 by D. João III, and the first stone was laid in 1543 (by Frei João de Ledesma), beginning the works in the areas of annexes and services, bedrooms, dining rooms and sacristy . Its construction...
In the conventual church, the cloister leaning against the church “where, on the ground floor, opened the rooms where the other acts of common life took place, the chapter house or room for solemn meetings of instruction and correction and governm...
Access to the sacristy covered by wooden coffered ceiling, with finials in the center. East wall with straight lintel portal, flanked by framed pilasters and topped by straight cornice. South wall with large lavatory, composed of a straight lintel...
The S. Gonçalo de Amarante convent was founded in 1540 by D. João III, and the first stone was laid in 1543 (by Frei João de Ledesma), beginning the works in the areas of annexes and services, bedrooms, dining rooms and sacristy . Its construction...
The sacristy, whose door dates from 1597, is a Mannerist style room and contains canvas paintings of the birth, baptism and death of S. Gonçalo, as well as of Santa Catarina de Sena (first Dominican nun, speaking from a pulpit before Pope Clement ...
S. Gonçalo has the honor of the patron saint of Amarante and his memory is celebrated on two occasions during the year: the 10th of January, the date of his death, and the first weekend of June, with the great festivities of the city. Coming from ...
