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Converting Convents? A Sacred Response To Lisbon’s Housing Crisis

So eager to modernize, the 19th century’s rulers did not properly weigh up the potential effects of their disentailment policies, leaving a vast pool of church property unprotected. In the case of the Convent of Beato António, what the 1755 earthquake did not destroy, the expulsion of the friars did, and whatever was not later harnessed for industrial uses was left to languish until the late 20th century, when the decision was made to restore former monastic sites as convention centers.
Convent of Beato António, which the 1755 earthquake did not destroy, was left to languish until the late 20th century. The decision was made to restore former monastic sites as housing and convention centers. Carolina Delgado/Convento do Beato Event Center in Lisbon

Throughout the ages, convents have been adapted and transformed to fulfil the needs of growing cities such as Portugal’s capital city Lisbon. Now more than ever, with an ongoing housing crisis, researchers, politicians and developers are looking at convents to be transformed into housing solutions.

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