Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Convent of Nossa Senhora do Desterro

Convent of Nossa Senhora do Desterro

Highlight • Religious Site

Convent of Nossa Senhora do Desterro

Recommended by 138 hikers out of 148

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Monchique

Save

Location: Monchique, Algarve, Portugal

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Routes here

Best Hikes to Convent of Nossa Senhora do Desterro

3.8

(110)

386

hikers

1. From Monchique to Fóia — circular route

10.8km

03:27

440m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

4.2

(11)

hikers

2. Monumental Trees — circular route in Monchique

4.26km

01:15

130m

120m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

4.5

(243)

1,042

hikers

3. View from Fóia Summit – Cork oak grove in Monchique loop from Monchique

11.5km

03:48

550m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

Tips

Bryan | Exploro Ergo Sum

November 6, 2025

Founded in 1631 by Pêro (or Pedro) da Silva, nicknamed "Mole," who later became Viceroy of India, the Convent of Our Lady of Exile now rests in ruins, shrouded in legend and silence. It is said to have originated from a promise made at sea, and that its founder brought back from India a small ivory image, still kept as a relic.

Even abandoned, the convent retains the charm of the place where it was built: among trees and views that seem to embrace the entire mountain range.

Translated by Google •

Ingo Weiß

November 5, 2019

Heavily dilapidated former Franciscan monastery. The ruin is inhabited by a family, but the master of the house likes to give a "guided tour" ... The convent Nossa Senhora do Desterro was built in 1631 on behalf of the noble Franciscan Dom Pêro da Silva, who later became viceroy of India. Old records testify that the monks also played an important role in the teaching of knowledge and culture in Monchique, but fate was not their mercy: In the 18th century, three earthquakes damaged the building heavily, money for renovation was missing. Then, when Queen Dona Maria II, liberal-inclined, decreed the closure of religious orders and the nationalization of the monasteries in 1834, the Franciscans left the place

Translated by Google •

Sabine 2.0

November 5, 2019

Too bad that it has fallen so much ... still worth a visit

Translated by Google •

Details

Informations

Elevation 510 m

Weather

Today

Tuesday 9 December

18°C

11°C

90 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 20.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Monchique, Algarve, Portugal

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Cork Oak Grove in Monchique

Scenic Trail in the Monchique Mountains

View of the Algarve from Serra de Monchique

Fóia Summit

Caldas de Monchique Termas

Everyday People Sculptures of Monchique

Historic Center of Monchique

Cork Oak Forest in Monchique

Cork Oak and Eucalyptus Forests of Monchique

View of the Alentejo from Monchique

Vista de Monchique

Monchique Terraced Landscape Trail

Convent of Nossa Senhora do Desterro

1. From Monchique to Fóia — circular route

2. Monumental Trees — circular route in Monchique

3. View from Fóia Summit – Cork oak grove in Monchique loop from Monchique

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️