Category: Religious Architecture > Monastery
District: Coimbra > Coimbra > Coimbra
The Monastery of Celas, in Coimbra, is located in the area of the city that gave it its name: Celas. Once a distinct settlement on the outskirts of the ancient wall, this place is now integrated into the urban fabric, yet maintaining its characteristic historical atmosphere, centered around Largo de Celas.
Founded in the 13th century, around 1221, the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Celas is a striking example of the Cistercian female presence in Portugal. Its creation was due to the initiative of Infanta D. Sancha, daughter of King D. Sancho I, who established a community of Cistercian nuns here.
This monastery stands out as the first Cistercian female church purpose-built in Portuguese territory, a singular case within the Order. Over the centuries, the Monastery of Celas witnessed profound transformations and remained a center of religious life until the dissolution of monastic orders in the 19th century, subsequently being managed by the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Piety.
The architecture of the Monastery of Celas is a fascinating compendium of styles, reflecting the various interventions and renovations it underwent from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. Its main façade, which can be observed upon arrival, is dominated by a 16th-century portal of noble design, flanked by pilasters that rise to a triangular pediment. Beside it, a smaller portal in Manueline style, and a 17th-century gallery on the upper part, complete the ensemble.
Inside, the church features a circular plan, an unusual typology for Cistercian female monasteries, and is covered by an impressive Manueline star-shaped vault, decorated with floral motifs and a national coat of arms at its center. The walls of the chancel are adorned with a beautiful wainscoting of 18th-century Coimbra tiles, depicting scenes such as the Annunciation and the Visitation. Among the artworks present, a valuable 16th-century painting of the Annunciation, attributed to the Flemish school, is noteworthy.
The cloister of the Monastery of Celas is, without a doubt, one of its most remarkable treasures. In the South and West wings, this Romanesque-Gothic transition cloister, dating from the 14th century, is the only one in Portugal to feature figurative capitals with the richness and detail found here.
Each capital is a small work of art, sculpted with historiated scenes from the life of Christ, hagiographical passages of saints, and, at times, fantastic figures and vegetal motifs. The uniqueness and high artistic quality of these capitals are such that some historians suggest they may not have been created for this monastery, but rather for another important building, such as the Palace of D. Dinis in Coimbra, having been donated to the convent by D. João III in the 16th century.
Despite being located in an area with the dynamism of a modern city, the Monastery of Celas offers an environment of remarkable peace and tranquility. It is an invitation to contemplation and immersion in history, allowing visitors to feel the secular presence of the Cistercian nuns who lived here and to appreciate the beauty and spiritual depth of the place.
The religious function of the monastery remains active, with the regular celebration of Eucharists, keeping its essence alive and allowing the heritage to be enjoyed not only as a monument but also as a place of worship.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.2153477876898, -8.412092714646047
Coordinates DMS: 40°12'55.3"N 08°24'43.5"W
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