Visit to the “house” of the Patron Saint of the City and Diocese of Aveiro, Princess Saint Joana

It was inevitable. On the occasion of yet another day dedicated to the Patron Saint of Aveiro, we returned to its “home” – the former Convent of Jesus of the Dominican Order of women, founded in 1458, which was also the College of Santa Joana and is now the Museum of Aveiro/Santa Joana, “one of the country’s centuries-old museums”. Precisely to the “home” that the people of Aveiro feel is “theirs” too. Just ask José António Rebocho Christo, who started out as a “volunteer” there while he was still studying; he even worked as a “part-time cleaner”; he was a curator; and, since 2015, he has served as director. It was almost the weekend, which is to say it was Friday, and it wasn't long before the clock struck 10 o'clock sharp. There were still no visitors, but in the reception area of ​​this museum, as the staff started arriving, the usual hustle and bustle of the start of another day could be felt. We waited a little before going upstairs. As we climbed the stairs, we couldn't help but notice the Wheel there. About an hour and a half later, give or take a minute, we learned - thanks to someone who really knows what they're talking about - that it was a device through which objects and food were passed between the convent and the outside, so as not to disturb the nuns' cloister. Objects, food and more, because from time to time, abandoned children or the "fruit" of forbidden relationships were also left there to be raised by the Dominican nuns.

José António Rebocho Christo was waiting for us for another “delicious conversation” with Diário de Aveiro. We say “delicious” because the director venerates Princess Saint Joan like few others, and cannot contain his enthusiasm whenever he speaks of her. In addition, his (enraptured) eyes, being the mirror of the soul, also leave no room for doubt. The director not only insists, but also has a great pleasure in “[everyone] coming to see the museum”. And this is felt from the first exchange of impressions.

It was inevitable. On the occasion of yet another day dedicated to the Patron Saint of Aveiro, we returned to its “home” – the former Convent of Jesus of the Dominican Order of women, founded in 1458, which was also the College of Santa Joana and is now the Museum of Aveiro/Santa Joana, “one of the country’s centuries-old museums”. Precisely to the “home” that the people of Aveiro feel is “theirs” too. Just ask José António Rebocho Christo, who started out as a “volunteer” there while he was still studying; he even worked as a “part-time cleaner”; he was a curator; and, since 2015, he has served as director. It was almost the weekend, which is to say it was Friday, and it wasn't long before the clock struck 10 o'clock sharp. There were still no visitors, but in the reception area of ​​this museum, as the staff started arriving, the usual hustle and bustle of the start of another day could be felt. We waited a little before going upstairs. As we climbed the stairs, we couldn't help but notice the Wheel there. About an hour and a half later, give or take a minute, we learned - thanks to someone who really knows what they're talking about - that it was a device through which objects and food were passed between the convent and the outside, so as not to disturb the nuns' cloister. Objects, food and more, because from time to time, abandoned children or the "fruit" of forbidden relationships were also left there to be raised by the Dominican nuns.

José António Rebocho Christo was waiting for us for another “delicious conversation” with Diário de Aveiro. We say “delicious” because the director venerates Princess Saint Joan like few others, and cannot contain his enthusiasm whenever he speaks of her. In addition, his (enraptured) eyes, being the mirror of the soul, also leave no room for doubt. The director not only insists, but also has a great pleasure in “[everyone] coming to see the museum”. And this is felt from the first exchange of impressions.

It was inevitable. On the occasion of yet another day dedicated to the Patron Saint of Aveiro, we returned to its “home” – the former Convent of Jesus of the Dominican Order of women, founded in 1458, which was also the College of Santa Joana and is now the Museum of Aveiro/Santa Joana, “one of the country’s centuries-old museums”. Precisely to the “home” that the people of Aveiro feel is “theirs” too. Just ask José António Rebocho Christo, who started out as a “volunteer” there while he was still studying; he even worked as a “part-time cleaner”; he was a curator; and, since 2015, he has served as director. It was almost the weekend, which is to say it was Friday, and it wasn't long before the clock struck 10 o'clock sharp. There were still no visitors, but in the reception area of ​​this museum, as the staff started arriving, the usual hustle and bustle of the start of another day could be felt. We waited a little before going upstairs. As we climbed the stairs, we couldn't help but notice the Wheel there. About an hour and a half later, give or take a minute, we learned - thanks to someone who really knows what they're talking about - that it was a device through which objects and food were passed between the convent and the outside, so as not to disturb the nuns' cloister. Objects, food and more, because from time to time, abandoned children or the "fruit" of forbidden relationships were also left there to be raised by the Dominican nuns.

José António Rebocho Christo was waiting for us for another “delicious conversation” with Diário de Aveiro. We say “delicious” because the director venerates Princess Saint Joan like few others, and cannot contain his enthusiasm whenever he speaks of her. In addition, his (enraptured) eyes, being the mirror of the soul, also leave no room for doubt. The director not only insists, but also has a great pleasure in “[everyone] coming to see the museum”. And this is felt from the first exchange of impressions.