Mosteiro de Santa Cruz

The Monastery of Santa Cruz, in Coimbra

The Monastery of Santa Cruz is one of the oldest and most important monuments of Coimbra, pantheon of the first kings of Portugal. The Coimbra audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this major sanctuary, founded in the twelfth century, cradle of medieval knowledge.

The pantheon of the first kings of Portugal

Perfectly integrated into the chromatic and architectural patchwork of the square on which it rises, the Monastery of Santa Cruz is one of the oldest and most important monuments of Coimbra. It is under the impulse of the canons of the order of Saint Augustine and of Afonso Henriques, first king of Portugal, that this majestic building was founded in 1131. In addition to welcoming the most influential monastic house of the kingdom of the time, the religious site became the cradle of the first medieval studies, where intellectuals and members of the political power were trained. Later, the monastery became the pantheon of the first kings of Portugal, who rest there: Afonso Henriques, founder of the nation, and his son Sancho I have their tombs there. You admire there a richly adorned church, a cloister and a remarkable decor. A major sanctuary and a place of memory of the birth of Portugal, the Monastery of Santa Cruz is discovered with respect.

What to see

You admire, with respect, one of the oldest monuments of Coimbra, founded in 1131 by the canons of Saint Augustine and King Afonso Henriques, the most influential monastic house of the kingdom and cradle of medieval studies, become the pantheon of the first kings of Portugal, Afonso Henriques and Sancho I, with its adorned church and its cloister. The Monastery of Santa Cruz is a major sanctuary of Coimbra. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Monastery of Santa Cruz lies on its square, in the Baixa of Coimbra, reachable on foot. A place of worship and memory, it can be visited with respect; the visit of the church, the tombs and the cloister follows its own hours and conditions, which vary. It is best to check them before coming and to respect the sacred character of the place.

Who rests at the Monastery of Santa Cruz of Coimbra?

The first kings of Portugal: Afonso Henriques, founder of the nation and co-founder of the monastery in 1131, and his son Sancho I have their tombs there; this sanctuary was the most influential monastic house of the kingdom and the cradle of medieval studies.

Where is the Monastery of Santa Cruz of Coimbra?

On its square, in the Baixa of Coimbra, in Portugal.