City Hall

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Coimbra > Coimbra > Coimbra > Baixa

Location

The City Room is located in the heart of Coimbra's Baixa, a dynamic urban area with a strong historical legacy. This space occupies what was once the refectory of the Old Monastery of Santa Cruz, a building that profoundly shapes the landscape of Coimbra's downtown.

Its position in the Baixa allows for easy integration with the city's environment, offering a cultural point of interest within a context of streets and buildings that bear witness to centuries of history.

Past and Architecture

This place has deep roots in Coimbra's history, being part of the Santa Cruz Monastery complex, founded in the 12th century. The City Room corresponds to the old monastic refectory, a space that underwent significant transformations over the centuries.

In the early 16th century, the Santa Cruz Monastery underwent an extensive campaign of works, driven by King D. Manuel I. These interventions gave the building a new grandeur, with architectural elements reflecting the Manueline style. The remodeling of various areas, including the church and the main cloister, shaped the architectural context and the atmosphere experienced today in this old refectory, transforming it into a space of great heritage value.

Cultural and Symbolic Vocation

Currently, the City Room serves an important function as an exhibition space, hosting various cultural manifestations. It is a stage where contemporary art interacts with the weight of history and the solidity of monastic architecture.

The exhibitions presented there sometimes explore narratives that do not appear in official records, focusing on events and daily lives of less privileged classes. This contrast between the sumptuous architecture of the old refectory and the "silenced voices" that find resonance there creates a unique and profound atmosphere, inviting visitors to reflect on different perspectives of history and social life.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt