Ermida do Paiva

The Ermida do Paiva, also known as the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição or the "Templo das Siglas", is a remarkable Romanesque monument from the 12th century. Originally, this church was part of a Premonstratensian monastery, the only one of this order in Portugal, founded by two French monks, D. Roberto and D. Afonso. The ruins of the cloister attached to the church are still visible today. The church is famous for its many sculptures and enigmatic symbols engraved in the stones, both inside and outside. It is believed that these "siglas" were the signatures of the master builders who worked on the construction. Its architectural lines, although simple, are robust and integrate beautifully into the surrounding green landscape. Today, the Ermida do Paiva is classified as a National Monument and represents a fascinating testimony to medieval Portuguese architecture and spirituality.