Mosteiro de Santa Clara

Mosteiro de Santa Clara stands in Porto as a fourteenth-century monastery shaped by Gothic architecture and religious life. Its grand façade preserves original stonework, while broad arches and vaulted ceilings reveal medieval craftsmanship. The former convent included a church, cloisters, and living quarters for nuns.

Over the centuries, changing urban needs altered the building’s purpose and structure. Portuguese architect Carvalho Araújo led a restoration that retained the façade, stone arches, thick walls, and vaulted spaces. Bright rooms and suites now combine white, ivory, and grey tones with Art Deco-inspired details. Guest rooms, restaurants, leisure areas, an open-air infinity pool, an indoor stone-lined pool, and a spa occupy the renewed interior.

Renewable energy, efficient lighting, and non-toxic materials support the building’s sustainable reuse. The old religious setting remains visible through the preserved arches, walls, and quiet enclosed spaces. Here, stone corridors and vaulted ceilings frame contemporary interiors without losing the atmosphere of the former convent.