Friestas, Valença, Norte, Portugal
Mosteiro de Sanfins de Friestas
A Romanesque church, a National Monument since 1910, with the two-story ruins of its Benedictine monastery, small cloister and aqueduct, set in an oak wood above the Minho valley. St Francis Borgia lived here for a time.
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.
Before you act. No tender is open yet: the state program lists the monastery as 'in preparation', where it has been since 2016, with no rent or term set. These concessions are for tourism use, not purchase or religious re-foundation.
Last checked 8 November 2026. Parts of this entry could not be fully confirmed; see the note above. Responsible body: REVIVE program, Turismo de Portugal.
Monchique, Portugal
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.
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.