This paper discusses the reuse of cultural heritage for tourist accommodation, a trend in Portuguese policies around tourism andculture. The convent (and fortress) of Santa Maria de Ínsua, in Caminha, south of the Minho river and close to the Spanish border, isa unique religious heritage site, due to its location on an islet and its diachronic evolution. After the dissolution of the religiousorders in 1834, its abandonment and degradation led to the inclusion of this complex in a national programme aimed at conversioninto a hotel. Starting from an international literature review, this case is evaluated through an integrated analysis, combininghistorical, architectural, and tourism data. The result shows the negative impact the programme has had for the protection of thesite and the development of tourism without benefit for society. If sustainable tourism and conservation of cultural heritage are tobe achieved, this will require an integrated framework for local and national government strategies for economic benefit throughtourism and the occupation of abandoned buildings.

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Rehabilitation of religious monuments,Tourism,Conservation of cultural heritage,Santa Maria da Ínsua,Portugal,Sustainability