As bibliotecas nos mosteiros da antiga congregação beneditina portuguesa

Abstract

This paper intends to highlight the importance the Benedictines gave to culture in their monasteries, in accordance with the rule of St. Benedict, whether through the «scriptoria» in the Middle Ages, or in their libraries since the 16th century. In this regard, focus is brought to bear on the role of the monasteries of the Portuguese Benedictine Congregation (1567-1834), and the relevance given to libraries in Portuguese monasteries. To achieve this goal, a document dating from 1785 that was published by Camilo Castelo Branco (cfr. Mosaico e Silva) is analysed, as well as the monasteries’ inventories at the time when the religious orders were expelled from Portugal in 1834.