Santo Tirso Monastery

About

Monastery of Santo Tirso (or also Monastery of São Bento) is a monastery located in the parish of Santo Tirso, municipality of Santo Tirso, in Portugal, that was of the Benedictine Order. The monastery was founded in 978 by Unisco Godins, wife of Aboazar Lovesendes, first lord of Maia and ancestor of this family. On 23 November 1097, count Henrique and his wife Teresa donated land, defining the boundaries, and other properties to Soeiro Mendes da Maia, a descendant of Unisco and Abunazar.

Soeiro, in turn, on 23 March 1098 donated these properties to the Abbot of the monastery, Gaudemiro, making the monastery one of the richest and relevant in the country. It was awarded Bulls of protection by the Popes Innocent III and Honorius III. The original monastic church was built in 978.

It was replaced by another one in 1090, which, in turn, was replaced by another one built in the early 14th century with the funds donated for its construction by Martim Gil de Riba de Vizela, Count of Barcelos. From this church there are some archaeological remains. On 15 October 1385, and 6, 7 August of 1409 the monastery was visited by King John I of Portugal.

The present church was built in 1659–79, with...