College of Jesus

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Coimbra > Coimbra > Coimbra > Alta Universitária

Location:

The Colégio de Jesus is located in the city of Coimbra, specifically in the University Heights (Alta Universitária) area. This location, in one of the highest parts of the city, grants it a prominent position in the urban landscape, in an area historically linked to education and the presence of the University, which shapes the surroundings with its academic and monumental atmosphere.

Historical Roots:

The construction of the Colégio de Jesus dates back to the 16th century, a period of profound transformation in Portuguese higher education. Its construction was an integral part of the university reform promoted by D. João III, which culminated in the establishment of the University in Coimbra. Conceived to be a pillar of this new era, the college had an essential dual function: to offer training in fundamental disciplines and to provide accommodation for students and religious members of this growing community. Works began in 1547, marking the start of a long and complex construction history.

Architectural Features:

The architecture of the Colégio de Jesus reflects the ambition and evolution of styles over more than a century of works. The college church, whose construction began later, in 1598, is a remarkable example. Its interior reveals a vaulted Latin cross plan, with a single nave divided into four bays, a transept, and interconnecting side chapels. The crossing is crowned by a hemispherical dome with a lantern, elements that reveal a clear inspiration from the Church of Il Gesù in Rome, a prototype for Jesuit architecture.

The temple's façade, completed only in the 18th century, although late, maintains a strong connection to the Roman Mannerist model. It is characterized by two superimposed tiers, separated by a cornice, and a robust lower register with five sections divided by Tuscan pilasters. The structure is marked by verticality and the symmetry of the windows and niches housing images of Jesuit saints. Two recessed towers, built at the end of the 17th century, lend it a unique character, subtly distinguishing it from its original model and enriching its architectural identity.

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