Culture & history Landmarks & monuments Wheelchair accessible Tours Entry tickets Religious & spiritual activities Literary activities Educational activities Architecture Sightseeing Churches & cathedrals

Visit Monastery of Leça do Balio, home to Livraria Lello Foundation. Discover medieval architecture and provocative temporal exhibitions. Tickets include Open Sculpture and Lello Library (if selected)

Highlights

• See intricate Gothic architecture and stone carvings
• Enjoy various exhibitions showcasing cultural heritage
• Learn about the historical significance of the monastery
• Feel the serenity of the monastery's cloister garden

Description

A National Monument since 1910 and a historic landmark on the Caminhos de Santiago, the Monastery of Leça do Balio is today home to the Livraria Lello Foundation and a vibrant cultural hub. Its restoration, led by architect Álvaro Siza Vieira, preserved the authenticity of the medieval architecture while integrating new spaces for contemplation, art, and culture, including an exhibition centre, an ecumenical space, and the future Garden of Thought. Currently, the renovated Monastery hosts “People in Motion,” an exhibition by the Livraria Lello Foundation exploring the migrations of people, ideas, and cultures. Through sculpture, literature, and photography, the Monastery is transformed into a space for reflection and encounter, further enriched by Álvaro Siza Vieira’s Open Sculpture along the Camino de Santiago. Access to this exhibition is included depending on the option selected. The monastery’s origins date back to the medieval period, when the Order of the Knights Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem established itself in the region, carrying out religious, hospital, and defensive functions. Its fortified architecture reflects the need to protect both the monks and the pilgrims travelling to Santiago de Compostela. Throughout the centuries, the Monastery was the stage for decisive moments in Portugal’s history, such as the marriage of King Fernando I and Leonor Teles in 1372. These events consolidated its role as a place of political, social, and cultural importance. After periods of decline and changing functions, the recent restoration has returned to the Monastery its patrimonial dignity and social role. The architectural intervention, widely recognised for its quality, combined the preservation of the historical legacy with the creation of contemporary cultural infrastructure. Today, the Monastery hosts exhibitions, concerts, debates, and educational activities, fostering an encounter between memory and contemporary creation. The combo ticket allows to visit the Monastery, the exhibition, the Open sculpture and, if selected, the Lello Library as well.

Includes

Entry ticket to Monastery Access to exhibitions

Important Information

• Wear comfortable shoes; the visit involves walking The space is fully accessible for people with mobility impairments

Easy cancellation

This activity is non-refundable