The Monastery of S. Martinho de Tibães (Mosteiro de Tibães) was founded in the second half of the XI century and received the Couto letter in 1110 by D. Henrique and D. Teresa. Along the low Middle Ages, the monastery became an owner of a vast patrimony. It received enlargement works between 1530 and 1550 by order of the commendatory abbot D. António de Sá. In 1567 it became the Motherhouse of the São Bento congregation in Portugal and in Brazil and in a first half of the XVII century, given the decadence of the old constructions and the means influx provided by the congregation, the great campaign started and resulted in what resulted from the set that exists today.
Starting at the church, built between 1628 and 1661, in the place of the Roman temple, the Cloister refectory was reorganized and the graveyard cloister was built. Until 1700 were arisen the convent wing, which included the Lobby, Reception, Dormitory, Lodge, Chapter and Library Hall.
The church is one of the grandest temples of the country and one of the biggest baroque art landmarks. The beginning of the constructions is affiliated also with a mannerist current, but the baroque would triumph in the countless constructions developed over the second half of the XVII century and all XVIII century.
