São Bento Monastery
Abadia de Nossa Senhora do Monserrate | |
Facade of the abbey church | |
| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Mosteiro de São Bento, Mosteiro de São Bento de Nossa Senhora da Conceição |
| Order | Benedictine |
| Established | 1590 |
| Mother house | Arquiabadia de São Sebastião da Bahia |
| Diocese | Rio de Janeiro |
| Abbot | Filipe da Silva |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Mannerist |
| Groundbreaking | 1633 |
| Completion date | 1671 |
| Site | |
| Location | R. Dom Gerardo, 68 - Centro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 20090-030 |
| Coordinates | 22°53′48″S 43°10′40″W / 22.89667°S 43.17778°W |
| Website | mosteirodesaobentorio |
The Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat (Portuguese: Abadia de Nossa Senhora do Monserrate), more commonly known as the Mosteiro de São Bento (Monastery of St. Benedict), is a Benedictine abbey located on the Morro de São Bento (St. Benedict Hill) in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Mannerist style church is a primary example of Portuguese colonial architecture in Rio and the country.
The abbey was founded by Benedictine monks who came from the state of Bahia in 1590. It is still operational today, along with the Colégio de São Bento (St. Benedict College) nearby. The college, established in 1858, is one of the most important traditional educational establishments in Brazil and claims many famous alumni. The abbey includes the Faculdade de São Bento (St. Benedict Seminary), with courses in theology and philosophy that are recognized by the Ministry of Education. Theological studies at the monastery are also affiliated with the Pontifical Atheneum of St. Anselm in Rome.