Convent of Carmo (Horta)

Convent of Nossa Senhora do Carmo (Convento de Nossa Senhora do Carmo)
Convent of the Third Order of Mount Carmel, Convent of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Convent (Convento)
The principal facade of the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Official name: Convento do Carmo
Named for: Monte Carmel
Country	Portugal
Autonomous	Azores
Group	Central
Island	Faial
Municipality	Horta
Location	Matriz
- coordinates	38°32′19.44″N 28°37′43.78″W / 38.5387333°N 28.6288278°W / 38.5387333; -28.6288278Coordinates: 38°32′19.44″N 28°37′43.78″W / 38.5387333°N 28.6288278°W / 38.5387333; -28.6288278
Styles	Baroque, Roccoco
Materials	Masonry, Limestone, Azulejo, Wood, Tile
Origin	17th century
- Initiated	1652
Owner	Portuguese Republic
For public	Public
Visitation	Restricted access to interior (Military)
Easiest access	Rua Comendador Macedo, Travessa do Carmo
Management	Ministry of National Defense
Operator	Câmara Municipal da Horta/Diocese of Angra do Heroísmo
Status	Unclassified
Location of the convent within the municipality of Horta

The Convent of Carmo (Portuguese: Convento do Carmo) is a former-convent situated in the civil parish of Matriz, municipality of Horta in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. For several centuries it was one of the several convents that dotted the urban area of the island of Faial, but was damaged during several earthquakes. After the expulsion of the religious orders the convent began a slow decline, and was eventually expropriated by the Portuguese Armed Forces as an administrative post and garrison.

Its construction began in the 17th century, specifically in 1652, under the influence of D. Helena de Boim, wife of the captain-major Francisco Gil da Silveira.

After the construction of a chapel, dedicated to the invocation of Nossa Senhora da Boa Nova (Our Lady of Good News), D. Helena de Boim decided to create a hospice, in order to lodge Carmelite friars, that included round-trips through the kingdom to the States of Brazil and Maranhão.

To promote the convent, D. Helena de Boim donated her possessions to the Order of the Brothers of Mount Carmel, and lands alongside the chapel in order to begin construction of the monastery, and later the church.

The building evolved considerably throughout the years, primarily due to reconstruction, following several earthquakes that struck Faial over the years. It also affected the churchyard, situated over the centre of town, which was restored, rebuilt and expanded.

Much of the construction resulted from the earthquake that struck the island in 1926. A similar earthquake rocked the islands of the central group on 9 July 1998, provoking destruction in the areas of Ribeirinha, Pedro Miguel, Salão and Cedros, and destroying homes in Castelo Branco (Lombega), Flamengos and Praia do Almoxarife.