Monchique, Algarve, Portugal
Convento de Nossa Senhora do Desterro
A Franciscan friary founded in 1631 by Pero da Silva, later Viceroy of India, on a hillside above Monchique with wide views over the Algarve. Damaged in the 1755 earthquake, closed in 1834 and sold in lots in 1842, it has been a ruin for over a century.
The convent is in an advanced state of ruin and much of its contents, including most of the refectory tiles, has been lost to theft and decay. The municipality has bought nearly all of the site and in 2023 it entered the state REVIVE program, which seeks an investor to restore it under a long concession.
Before you act. No tender is open yet: the state program lists the convent as 'in preparation', with no rent, term or date. These concessions are for tourism use.
Last checked 9 November 2026. Parts of this entry could not be fully confirmed; see the note above. Responsible body: REVIVE program, Turismo de Portugal (owner: Monchique municipality).
Friestas, Valença, Portugal
The monastery ranges are ruins. The Portuguese state has placed everything except the church in its REVIVE program, which grants long concessions to whoever restores a building, with about 1,679 square meters and an estimated 26 rooms.
Palaçoulo (Miranda do Douro), Portugal
The community is still building its monastery and asks for support for the construction. Donors can give a 'brick share' of 10 euros, contribute to the building fund, or offer machinery and building materials.