Sé Cathedral of Aveiro

The Sé of Aveiro

The Sé of Aveiro is the cathedral and the oldest religious institution of the city, with a fine baroque façade. The Aveiro audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this building born in 1423 with the settlement of the Dominicans, only vestige of their convent vanished in a fire in 1843, whose portal with twisted columns is adorned with the figures of Faith, Charity and Hope.

History

Aveiro, a small city? Not when it comes to possessing a cathedral. The oldest religious institution of the city, the Sé of Aveiro appeared in 1423, following the settlement of the Order of the Dominicans in their brand-new adjacent convent. At that time, it was only a small place of worship with three naves, without an elevated choir. Between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, its plan was slightly modified, the lateral naves becoming devotional chapels. In 1719, the façade was strongly remodelled with the addition of a baroque portal framed by twisted columns and the creation of a pediment, on which appear the three allegorical figures of Faith, Charity and Hope. This fine architectural work can still be admired today, for in 1843, the convent of the Dominicans vanished in a fire, and the cathedral remained the only testimony still standing of the conventual house. After the raising of the bell tower in 1860, new enlargement campaigns delivered the last version of the Sé of Aveiro. You will visit it with respect, in the calm conducive to contemplation.

What to see

Here you admire, with respect, the cathedral and oldest religious institution of Aveiro, born in 1423 with the Dominicans; its façade was endowed in 1719 with a baroque portal with twisted columns and a pediment with the figures of Faith, Charity and Hope, and it is the only vestige of the convent vanished in 1843. The Sé of Aveiro is a major place of prayer, to be visited with respect. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Sé of Aveiro stands in the centre of the city, reachable on foot. It is a place of worship in activity, seat of the bishopric, whose access is made in the respect of the services and of contemplation; the hours of visit vary. It is best to enquire before coming and to adopt correct attire.

What is the origin of the Sé of Aveiro?

It is the oldest religious institution of the city, born in 1423 with the settlement of the Dominicans in their adjacent convent; first a small place of worship with three naves, it received in 1719 a baroque portal with twisted columns and a pediment with the figures of Faith, Charity and Hope, and became the only vestige of the convent after the fire of 1843.

Where is the Sé of Aveiro?

In the centre of Aveiro, in Portugal.