Joaõ Torreiano

Who was Joaõ Torreiano?

João Torreano was born in Lisbon in 1610, studied in Coimbra and became a Bendictine monk in 1629. He was the son of Leonardo Torreano who was one of the leading military engineers of his day. As such, João Torriano inherited many of his father´s positions in the Portuguese court, including the "Engenheiro Mor do Reino". His work includes the Bugio Fort (Forteleza de Cabeça Seca) in the mouth of the Tagus (begun by his father), and the fort at Matosinhos near Porto. He designed the Capela Mor of both the Sés (Cathedrals) of Leiria and Viseu. He designed the new church at Santo Tirso, and extensive extensions at Alcobaça Monastry. He designed dormitories for several monastries including Santa Maria de Alcobaça, the Inglesinhos and Estrela (both in Lisbon), Odivelas, Travanca and Semide. One of his great works is the Monastry of Santa Clara in Coimbra, He was buried in the Benedictine Monastery of S Bento da Saude in Lisbon in 1679. He left an extensive library (including works by his father) to the Colégio de São Bento in Coimbra, from where it passed to the University of Coimbra