The Charterhouse Santa Maria Scala Coeli

Gods House

Monks House

The Carthusian Order was ordered to establish two foundations in Portugal (Evora and Lisbon). In the XIXth century both monasteries were subject to persecution. The Monastery in Evora was restored in the XXth century by Vasco Eugenio de Almeida.

Hermitages made from bricks and limestone for the monks (the Ladder)

A golden and marble palace for God (the Heaven)

Building plans from the XVIth century, and plans of the ruins from the XIXth century

The monastery is protected by land, a desert of 80 hectares.

Cames dedicated a poem to the aqueduct that runs through it, in Os Lusadas.

To the visitor the monastery seems to be discreetly hidden.

... however, behind the aqueduct we find Scala Coeli...

. ... which looks like a monte alentejano, a country estate.

We are now going to visit the Monks House behind this beautiful cloister.

Coat of arms of Scala Coeli over the church door.

The largest cloister in Portugal.

This cloister is considered to be one of the most cheerful of the Order.

The arches are like another aqueduct, taking the prayers from the cells to the feet of Our Holy Lord Jesus

The church tower and the clock give a certain rhythm to the monasterys life.

The Virgin of Ftima, in the middle of the cloister, is the queen of Scala Coeli.

More than a hundred monks, precursors of the present-day monks, are buried beneath these crosses.

Vertical and horizontal cross to bless the whole of the eternal sleep.

The cemetery is the last rung on this Ladder to Heaven.

For Christians, the cemetery is a Spring-like sign of hope.

Wider and more open than those located in other climates, this cloister opens the heart.

The southern light invades Scala Coeli.

The arch is of the main monastic line.

All this greenery (cypresses, box, orange trees...) is perennial.

The Carthusian silence: all you can hear is the noise of the water and the birds.

This painting of Our Lord is the only piece of the former decoration of the monastery left.

...and on a vault is the Bragana coat of arms from the XVIth century with the ducal crown.

...on another dome we find the same coat of arms but this time with the royal crown.

The carthusian cloister is an ideal place for the peace of contemplation.

Surrounding the cloister we find the hermitages designed for the solitude of the Carthusian monk.

We will now visit the most typically carthusian part of the monastery: the cells.

Next to the door theres an opening to receive food.

From a psychological point of view, a long seclusion requires wide spaces.

The Carthusian monk is accompanied only by God, blessed by the Virgin Mothers protection.

A little oratory is situated on the monks cell for the solitary liturgy.

Reading feeds contemplation.

Essential rest. The division of the rest period is typically carthusian.

The necessary heat. In the Alentejo the cold weather doesnt last long.

Eating alone is another typical carthusian activity.

Each cell has a spacious garden.

Saint Bruno wanted to renew the life of the hermits who were lost in the desert.

Contact with nature brings one closer to the Creator

The small community cloister.

As it is used in festivities, its architecture is more decorous than that of the solitude cloister.

In the XVIIIth century blue was in fashion; hence the origin of the word azulejo (glazed tile).

The sundial is a piece of art in bas-relief. There is only one other sundial in Portugal similar to this one.

The community say mass together on Sundays and festivities.

The refectory is the place where, after singing the sext, the Brothers eat together while they listen to a reading.

. In the Chapter House an important meeting takes place after the nones. In this meeting the Brothers plan for the week ahead, they celebrate their elections and they take the Holy orders.

Chapel of the Virgin of Ftima. In this chapel, after Evesong, the Brothers receive ongoing training from the Fathers.

Entrance to the Library, where books are kept, reading being done in the cells.

Saint John the Baptist, man of the desert, patron saint of the Carthusian order.

The Founding Saint with the mitre, which he twice refused, at his feet.

The Angel of Portugal.

In the XIXth century the library was pillaged, it was rebuilt after restoration in the XXth century.

The monks saying has always been ora et labora.

Carthusian monks are poor, they dont have servants and have to do everything themselves.

Everyone works on their own, in a different area, but they are bound to Our Lord in their souls.

What is made for Our Lord has to be well done

Its a mutual service performed by Brother to Brother, as they are Brothers in Christ.

The Brothers are real professionals in their particular job.

Working in a nice environment helps spiritual life.

The community meets to talk twice a week and during festivities.

Once a week they have a walk and a chat in the countryside.

On Sundays and during festivities they rest together at their country house, where they have a beautiful reservoir.

The Counts house is used as guest quarters until the restoration of the ruins.

... It is decorated with paintings by Fray Miguel, the painter Brother.

The parlour is situated outside the cloister and is used by the monks families on their visits.

A life of solitude enlightens and enriches the heart of the Carthusian monk with the fire of the Holy love, with which they become as one.

Designed and written by: Juan Mayo Escudero www.juanmayo.net Thank you! With the voices of:

Juan Jos Nicasio Llach

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