This convent was founded in 1459 by Infantes D. Fernando and Dona Beatriz, parents of D. Manuel I and Queen Dona Leonor.

The church, cloister and chapter hall around which the convent was organized until the end of the 19th century gave it a certain heterogeneity. The various phases of construction generally corresponded to initiatives funded by the royal power and by abbesses from the nobility. In the 17th century, the walls were covered with tiles and new chapels were built.

With the extinction of the religious orders in 1834, the convent gradually fell into ruins until it was almost completely demolished in 1892-95.

The Inside

The patio that gave access to the church is a work in the Gothic style and has the Infantes' coats of arms on the sides and the fact that the low choir is no longer separated from the nave allows a panoramic view of the carving that marks the splendor of Baroque art.

On the right side we can admire a set of altars from the 17th and 18th centuries, which culminate in the altar dedicated to Saint John the Baptist by José Ramalho (1695).

On the left side, the carving involves a set of panels of historic tiles representing the life of St. John the Baptist placed in 1741 by Dona Brites. In the chancel is the sarcophagus of King Fernando.

The Cloister consists of four blocks and an uncovered patio with a cistern in the center. The walls are covered with 17th century polychrome tiles.

In the block of São João Evangelista, the portico opens, giving access to the chapter room, which is announced by the coat of arms of King João II.

This jewel of Portuguese tiles is covered at mid-height with edge tiles decorated with Moorish and Renaissance-inspired motifs from the 16th century.

On one of the tops is the chapel dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, a Renaissance work from 1641. Next to this chapel lie the mortal remains of Dona Beatriz.

The outside

A showy lacy platband completes the upper part of the building and whose decorative elements, despite being Gothic, already announce the Manueline style. Two statues representing the founders of the convent break the rhythm of the platband.

Beja Regional Museum

The Beja Regional Museum is located in the Convento da Conceição from 1927-28. However, its history dates back to December 29, 1892. With the extinction of the convents and the demolition of some churches and palaces, the museum saw its collection substantially enriched and increased with collections of paintings, tiles, among others.

The Museu Regional de Beja was considered one of the best and richest regional museums in Portugal.