Monastery of Saint Cross (Sofia)

Category: Nature > Protected Area

District: Coimbra > Coimbra > Coimbra > Baixa

Location

The Monastery of Santa Cruz is situated in the heart of Coimbra, in the area known as the Baixa. Its central position in the city makes it an easily accessible landmark, integrated into the historic urban fabric.

It is located in a vibrant area, which has witnessed centuries of the city's history and evolution, remaining an imposing landmark in Coimbra's urban landscape.

The Royal Origins of a Pantheon

Founded in 1131 by the Order of the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine, the Monastery of Santa Cruz quickly established itself as one of the most important monastic institutions in the kingdom of Portugal. It is a place of great symbolism for the nation, as it houses the tombs of the first two Portuguese monarchs, D. Afonso Henriques and D. Sancho I.

This particularity confers upon it the status of a National Pantheon, a recognition of its central role in the formation and history of the country, keeping alive the memory of Portugal's founders.

An Expression of Manueline Style

Throughout the 16th century, the monastery underwent a profound renovation under the orders of King D. Manuel I, which transformed its original Romanesque appearance. These interventions resulted in a church with a singular nave and a vault of great beauty, as well as a facade enriched with decorative elements and two side towers.

Inside are the notable Manueline tombs of D. Afonso Henriques and D. Sancho I, sculptural works with rich ornamentation that combine Gothic and Renaissance influences, testifying to the artistic mastery of the era.

Artistic Treasures

The interior of the monastery reveals remarkable artistic richness. One of the highlights is the carved wooden choirstalls, one of the few examples from the Manueline era that survive in Portugal, displaying detailed and imposing work in the high choir.

The church also houses a Renaissance pulpit, with elegant features, and walls adorned with blue and white tiles, which narrate biblical passages. In the sacristy, it is possible to appreciate works by great Portuguese painters of the 16th century, such as Grão Vasco and Cristóvão de Figueiredo. A Baroque organ, from the 18th century, complements the atmosphere of the space.

The Cloister of Manga

Located at the rear of the monastery, the Cloister of Manga is a singular example of Renaissance architecture in Portugal. Its central fountain, of great symbolic and artistic value, stands out for a small circular temple with a lantern, supported by columns and surrounded by four guardhouse-like chapels with water mirrors.

This cloister, designed in the 1530s by João de Ruão, is considered the first entirely Renaissance architectural work built on Portuguese soil, being a notable testimony to the stylistic transition.

Center of Medieval Wisdom

In addition to its religious and architectural value, the Monastery of Santa Cruz was a prestigious center of learning during the Middle Ages. Its monastic school was renowned for its vast library and active scriptorium, where manuscripts were copied and produced, contributing significantly to the culture of the time.

It was in this environment of knowledge that Fernando Martins de Bulhões, later known as Saint Anthony of Lisbon, studied, marking his religious and intellectual formation before becoming a world-renowned figure.

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