Convento San Payo

About

San Payo Convent is a franciscan convent built up in the XIV century. During the 70's, this structure became a private sanctuary for the sculptor Jose Rodrigues. You can see his signature throughout the gardens, dotted with doves, sky and sculpted bodies; and throughout the interior of the Convent, where his art is mixed with his masters’ and friends’ works and with sacred religious and oriental art. There is also a museum with his private collection, whose admission is included in the accommodation rate. The Convent is completely immersed in S. Paio Mountain also know as ‘Monte da Pena’. It is situated 8 km from the nearest village. In a walk towards a wooden cabin and its two ponds teaming with fish, you can find oaks and eucalyptus that are more than half a century old. In the gardens surrounding the Convent there are herds of sheep grazing, fruit trees and flowers blooming throughout the year.