Panha Longa and your Convent

History

The significance of the name Penha Longa, which means long rock, is lost in time, but associated to the cluster of large rocks, forced up by nature, place of meditation and origin of legends.
Penha Longa is home of many intriguing monuments which have witnessed some of the great moments of Portuguese History.
The community was founded by friar Vasco Martins in 1355, and developed under the patronage of King D. João I. In 1400, the Pope authorized the construction of the Monastery and Church, presently consecrated to Our Lady of Health.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, Penha Longa was chosen by the Royal Family as place of relax.
Memories of strong presences, such as Kings D. Manuel (1496) and D. Sebastião (1580) still echo within the grounds. During this period, a Palace to host the Kings and their guests, fountains and gardens, oratories and watermills were built.
The Garden of Nuncio, remains as an example of Renaissance architecture, and the Manueline style is visible in the arched ceilings and in the twin portals of the Palace.
In August 1584, Penha Longa Monastery hosted the first official Japanese Delegation to Europe, consisting of four young noble students from the Jesuit Mission in Nagasaki. From Penha Longa they departed to Europe discovering the Occidental culture and presenting their own.
Later on, the calm monastic life was strongly disturbed by two acts of Nature: the floods of 1621 and the terrible earthquake of Lisbon, in 1755. Penha Longa buildings had to be restored, and others such as The Garden of S. Gonçalo and the Palace of the Marquês de Anjeja were built.
The monastery's days were ended in 1834 with the expulsion of all Religious Orders from Portugal, and Penha Longa was sold in auction to the Marquês de Saldanha, and remained within generations of noble families up to 1988.
In 1879, the Quinta was transformed to a big property by the "Vicondes Gandarinha". The peculiar charm of Penha Longa fascinated other proprietors. The development of the actual project began in 1988.