It is what makes the heart of Amarante beat with history and grandeur. Located in the city center, the Convento de São Gonçalo invites you to take a break: stop for a few minutes and contemplate this local reference space, which has also been a national monument since 1910.

The first stone was laid in 1543, curiously, in the same place where a chapel had already been built in honor of the municipality’s patron saint, São Gonçalo.

The construction lasted 80 years, spanning several reigns and incorporating influences from various architectural styles at different stages of construction. The richness and diversity of the convent are found in Renaissance, Mannerist, Baroque, and 19th-century features.

The main facade contrasts with the lateral one, which stands out for the beautiful portal-altarpiece and the Varanda dos Reis, where you can see the statues of four monarchs: D. João III, D. Sebastião, Cardinal-King D. Henrique, and D. Filipe I. On the lower floor, the prominence is given to Saint Francis and Saint Dominic.

The second floor surprises with its Mannerist style. Among the six columns with Corinthian capitals that support the floor, we see the stone image of São Gonçalo. A perfect three-arched bridge with battlements forms the base.

Attached to the church is a museum: the Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso Municipal Museum.