Santa Rita Church and Formiga Convent
On the 12
Santa Rita Church and Formiga Convent
On the 12th /October/1749 began the conctruction of the convent dedicated to Nossa Senhora do Bom Despacho and St.ª Rita. In the place of Mão Poderosa, in a farm donated by Francisco da Sila Guimarães and wife, there was already a hermitage. This hermitage was probably replaced by the present church of Santa Rita or the Formiga, in1800. The church is a reference of the Porto baroque, being decorated with neoclassical interiors. During the Siege of Porto, between 1832e 1833, the monastery served as hospital to the absolutist troops, having the visit of king D. Miguel. With the liberalism the congregation was extinguished and the convent was sold. Over the times it had several functions connected with education. With the Republic it became a boarding school and then the college of Ermesinde, as it is still known today. It is a pilgrimage place to where devotees go throughout the year. The most significant is the cult of Santa Rita, whose day is celebrated on the 22nd/May. It is one of the most important festivities in the municipality of Valongo, taking place on the second Sunday in June.
Schedule: 7h30h-12h00 | 14h00-18h00
Location: Valongo
On the 12
Santa Rita Church and Formiga Convent
On the 12th /October/1749 began the conctruction of the convent dedicated to Nossa Senhora do Bom Despacho and St.ª Rita. In the place of Mão Poderosa, in a farm donated by Francisco da Sila Guimarães and wife, there was already a hermitage. This hermitage was probably replaced by the present church of Santa Rita or the Formiga, in1800. The church is a reference of the Porto baroque, being decorated with neoclassical interiors. During the Siege of Porto, between 1832e 1833, the monastery served as hospital to the absolutist troops, having the visit of king D. Miguel. With the liberalism the congregation was extinguished and the convent was sold. Over the times it had several functions connected with education. With the Republic it became a boarding school and then the college of Ermesinde, as it is still known today. It is a pilgrimage place to where devotees go throughout the year. The most significant is the cult of Santa Rita, whose day is celebrated on the 22nd/May. It is one of the most important festivities in the municipality of Valongo, taking place on the second Sunday in June.
Schedule: 7h30h-12h00 | 14h00-18h00
Location: Valongo
