Learn all about the life of St. Joana, a 15th-century princess turned saint at this fascinating museum set in a 15th-century convent.
Housed inside an old and beautifully preserved Dominican convent, the Museu de Aveiro houses a collection that includes paintings, sculptures, tiles and jewels. Find out more about the unusual life of Princess Joana, pay homage to her at her tomb and view the detailing and décor inside the old convent.
Learn the story of the convent, inextricably tied to that of Princess Joana, the daughter of King Afonso V of Portugal. A devout Catholic, Joana yearned to take her vows as a nun but her temporary position as next-in-line to the throne meant she was forbidden from doing so. In 1472, Joana came to live in this convent, where she remained until her death. Several miracles were attributed to Joana and in 1693, she was posthumously beatified and became known as the Princess Saint Joana.
Head to the low choir to view the princess’s tomb, which dates back to the 17th century and is identifiable by its intricate and artful multicolored marble detailing. In the gold-accented Church of Jesus, examine “azulejos” (hand-painted Portuguese tiles) depicting incidents from the life of the princess. This chapel is adorned with elaborate Baroque detailing.
Stroll through the arcades of the Renaissance cloisters, which were added to the convent in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, and imagine what life was like for the women who lived in this convent. The refectory, featuring tile-covered walls, is also worth seeking out.
Examine the collection of paintings inside the upper level of the convent. Look for a portrait of Princess Saint Joana herself, a late 15th-century work credited to Afonso V’s court painter, Nuno Gonçalves.
Find the museum in Parque de Santa Joana, beside the Cathedral of Aveiro. Museu de Aveiro is open Tuesday through Sunday, from morning until evening. There is an entry fee.
