The Monastery of St Martin of Tibães is a historical monastery situated in the parish of Mire de Tibães, near Braga in northern Portugal. It is known for its exuberant Rococo decoration of its church and is the mother house of the Benedictine order in Portugal and Brazil.
The monastery’s history dates back to the 6th century when a monastic community was first established in the region by Saint Martin of Braga. The Monastery of Tibães was officially founded in 1060 and was granted its feudal rights by Henry of Burgundy, Count of Portugal, in 1110. During the Middle Ages, the monastery possessed vast properties in the North of Portugal after the Kingdom of Portugal became independent.
In 1567, the Monastery of Tibães became the mother house of the Order of Saint Benedict for Portugal and the colony of Brazil. The first general gathering of the Order occurred in Tibães in 1570. In the first half of the 17th century, the monks began a radical rebuilding of the monastery due to the ruined condition of the old building and the vast resources at their disposal. The works began with the cloisters (Refectory and Cemetery cloisters) and the church, which was built between 1628 and 1661 in Mannerist style by architects Manuel Álvares and João Turriano. By the beginning of the 18th century, the new wings of the Monastery were finished, including the Gate House, the Dormitory, the Guest House, the Chapter House, and the Library.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Monastery was a site of considerable artistic activity and had an enormous influence in the Baroque and Rococo art of Northern Portugal and overseas colonies. In the years 1757-1760, architect André Soares designed the main altarpiece and the woodwork of the triumphal arch of the main chapel, as well as the pulpits and lateral altarpieces, all of which are landmarks in Portuguese Rococo art. Many statues in the church are by the hand of another celebrated sculptor, Cipriano da Cruz.
The Tibães Monastery and all its surrounding areas fell into decay and ruin after it was sold at an auction sale in 1864. A great part of the ensemble, including the Refectory Cloister, was destroyed in a fire in 1894. In 1986 the Monastery became a State property, and an extensive recovery project was started that continues to this day.
Today, the Monastery of St Martin of Tibães is a well-preserved and restored monument that is a testament to Portugal’s religious and artistic history. The monastery is open to the public and welcomes visitors from all over the world to admire the beauty of its architecture and artworks.
