See of Vila Real | São Domingos Church

Classified: NM - National Monument

 
The construction of the São Domingos Church or See of Vila Real, housing a convent of that order, started in 1424 and is the best example of Gothic architecture in Trás-os-Montes.
 
It underwent an initial refurbishment in the 16th century, under King D. Manuel, but the most extensive works took place later, in the 18th century. At this time, the original Gothic transept was replaced with a larger, deeper and more modern one, profusely lit through wide windows on the side walls. The bell tower also dates from this period (1742).
 
The extinction of the Religious Orders in 1834 meant the decline of the convent. Burnt down by a fierce fire in 1837 that destroyed most of its contents, it was only restored in the 1930s to 1950s, when the current altarpiece was installed, a Mannerist work from the Odivelas Convent.
 
More recently, IPPAR promoted an innovative project, inviting the painter João Vieira to create a set of stained glass windows for the building. The result was a composition inspired by the prologue to the Gospel according to St. Matthew, currently integrated into the Mediaeval structure of the building.