Church of Santa Cruz

Church of Santa Cruz is a medieval monastery church in Coimbra with a main portal rebuilt in the early 1500s that combines late Gothic and Renaissance styles. The interior contains royal burial chambers in the chancel and features ornate wooden choir stalls carved with maritime scenes.

The church was founded in medieval times and underwent major reconstruction in the early 1500s with a new portal and interior reorganization. The first two kings of Portugal were moved to stone tombs here during those renovations of the 1530s.

Het koor van de kerk toont gesneden houten zitels uit de 16e eeuw met gedetailleerde friezen die Portugese zeilschepen uit het expansietijdperk tonen. Deze snijwerk weerspiegelt het belang van scheepvaart in Portugals geschiedenis.

The monastery section now operates as a museum space where visitors can walk through and examine the carved elements and royal burial areas. Allow time to look closely at the wooden details and stonework, as much of the artistry is in the fine craftsmanship.

The church organ contains 4000 pipes adorned with Japanese decorative motifs, an uncommon pairing of European and Far Eastern artistic influences. Playing this instrument requires four musicians working together at the same time to produce its full range of sound.

Locatie: Santa Cruz

GPS-coördinaten: 38.73155,-27.06131

Laatste update: 14 december 2025 om 19:12