Flor da Rosa Monastery

Flor da Rosa Monastery, locally known as Mosteiro de Flor da Rosa, lies in the village of the same name in the Alto Alentejo region in Portugal.

The Flor da Rosa Monastery was built by Álvaro Gonçalves Pereira, the first Prior of Crato of the Knights Hospitaller in 1356. The order had moved its headquarters from Leça do Balio in the north to their new castle at Crato in 1340, after Sancho II of Portugal donated the territory to the Knights Hospitaller.

When finished, the complex consisted of a Gothic cruciform fortified church, a Gothic castle-like palace, and accommodation for the monks.  It was changed, enlarged and embellished several times, in the 16th and 17th centuries. It was also restored after having been damaged during the 1755 Lisbon earthquake and a severe thunderstorm in 1897.

Today, it is considered to be one of the most important examples of a fortified monastery on the Iberian Peninsula.

The Flor da Rosa Monastery is now a luxury hotel and part of a nationwide chain of luxury, traditional or historical hotels in Portugal, called Pousadas de Portugal. While the hotel is obviously only accessible for guests, the entrance hall of the church and its cloister are freely accessible. The interior of the church can only be viewed through an ornate fence. I really liked visiting.

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