Coimbra Things to Do

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The monastery was founded in 1131 under the patronage of Dom Afonso Henriques the first King of Portugal and actual Father of nation. He granted that monastery to the order of Augustinian Canons. Among famous scholars of the monastery school was Saint Anthony of Lisbon better known to public as Saint Antonio of Padua, who joined the Grey Friars (Franciscan Order) at Coimbra. The Romanesque church was designed by the French master builder Robert. Unfortunately monastery was decaying step by step due to human negligence. Things changed totally in beginning of XVI century. King Manuel I being the wise ruler quite understood that his kingdom and nation urgently needed the national symbols. That’s why he decided to spend a lot of money received as the rewards for Portuguese geographical discoveries and colonial policy to restore that monastery.
Manueline work of first quarter of XVI century includes the vaulting attributed to Boitaca and the throne dating from 1513 crowned with decoration alluding to the Portuguese geographical discoveries. King Manuel I also commissioned the rebuilding of royal tombs of King Afonso Henriques I and his son King Sancho I. Both tombs are Renaissance in style and are fruit of the work of Nicolas Chanterenne. The bodies of Afonso Henriques and Sancho I the first two kings of Portugal rest in elegant funerary chests in the chancel. There were neither Television and radio nor newspapers in the time King Manuel. But he well understood that a lot of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela will visit this place and they will be deeply impressed with such magnificent Royal Tombs. And he also understood that the pilgrims will spread rumors about these luxurious tombs and magnanimity of Portuguese King and his Kingdom through all Christian World. Yes, he was the great national leader! The high altar with these Royal tombs became the National Pantheon. The facade of the monastery combines Romanesque structural elements with XVIth-century decoration around the main doorway. The Triumphal Arch in front of the church entrance dates from the 19th century. Behind the monastery buildings is the lovely Manga Garden which used to be the Monastery’s bath. Formerly known as the Manga Fountain, it formed the centerpiece of one of the 3 cloisters of the monastery. The XVIth century Cloister of Silence is Manueline in style and has four bas-reliefs with scenes of Christ’s Passion by Nicola de Chanterenne. And here is the pulpit made by Nicola de Chanterenne in 1521.

Non commercial photo without flashlight and tripod is allowed.

Mon. - Sat.: 9 a.m. – 12:30 – 5 p.m.
Sun.: 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Public holidays: mornings only.
Free entry
To visit the Sacristy, Chapter House, Cloisters and Exhibition:
Ordinary ticket: € 2.50
Age 65 & over, & students: € 1.50
For school visits, permission must be obtained in advance from the Church.

4 more images

The monastery was founded in 1131 under the patronage of Dom Afonso Henriques the first King of Portugal and actual Father of nation. He granted that monastery to the order of Augustinian Canons. Among famous scholars of the monastery school was Saint Anthony of Lisbon better known to public as Saint Antonio of Padua, who joined the Grey Friars (Franciscan Order) at Coimbra. The Romanesque church was designed by the French master builder Robert. Unfortunately monastery was decaying step by step due to human negligence. Things changed totally in beginning of XVI century. King Manuel I being the wise ruler quite understood that his kingdom and nation urgently needed the national symbols. That’s why he decided to spend a lot of money received as the rewards for Portuguese geographical discoveries and colonial policy to restore that monastery.
Manueline work of first quarter of XVI century includes the vaulting attributed to Boitaca and the throne dating from 1513 crowned with decoration alluding to the Portuguese geographical discoveries. King Manuel I also commissioned the rebuilding of royal tombs of King Afonso Henriques I and his son King Sancho I. Both tombs are Renaissance in style and are fruit of the work of Nicolas Chanterenne. The bodies of Afonso Henriques and Sancho I the first two kings of Portugal rest in elegant funerary chests in the chancel. There were neither Television and radio nor newspapers in the time King Manuel. But he well understood that a lot of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela will visit this place and they will be deeply impressed with such magnificent Royal Tombs. And he also understood that the pilgrims will spread rumors about these luxurious tombs and magnanimity of Portuguese King and his Kingdom through all Christian World. Yes, he was the great national leader! The high altar with these Royal tombs became the National Pantheon. The facade of the monastery combines Romanesque structural elements with XVIth-century decoration around the main doorway. The Triumphal Arch in front of the church entrance dates from the 19th century. Behind the monastery buildings is the lovely Manga Garden which used to be the Monastery’s bath. Formerly known as the Manga Fountain, it formed the centerpiece of one of the 3 cloisters of the monastery. The XVIth century Cloister of Silence is Manueline in style and has four bas-reliefs with scenes of Christ’s Passion by Nicola de Chanterenne. And here is the pulpit made by Nicola de Chanterenne in 1521.

Non commercial photo without flashlight and tripod is allowed.

Mon. - Sat.: 9 a.m. – 12:30 – 5 p.m.
Sun.: 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Public holidays: mornings only.
Free entry
To visit the Sacristy, Chapter House, Cloisters and Exhibition:
Ordinary ticket: € 2.50
Age 65 & over, & students: € 1.50
For school visits, permission must be obtained in advance from the Church.

4 more images

The monastery was founded in 1131 under the patronage of Dom Afonso Henriques the first King of Portugal and actual Father of nation. He granted that monastery to the order of Augustinian Canons. Among famous scholars of the monastery school was Saint Anthony of Lisbon better known to public as Saint Antonio of Padua, who joined the Grey Friars (Franciscan Order) at Coimbra. The Romanesque church was designed by the French master builder Robert. Unfortunately monastery was decaying step by step due to human negligence. Things changed totally in beginning of XVI century. King Manuel I being the wise ruler quite understood that his kingdom and nation urgently needed the national symbols. That’s why he decided to spend a lot of money received as the rewards for Portuguese geographical discoveries and colonial policy to restore that monastery.
Manueline work of first quarter of XVI century includes the vaulting attributed to Boitaca and the throne dating from 1513 crowned with decoration alluding to the Portuguese geographical discoveries. King Manuel I also commissioned the rebuilding of royal tombs of King Afonso Henriques I and his son King Sancho I. Both tombs are Renaissance in style and are fruit of the work of Nicolas Chanterenne. The bodies of Afonso Henriques and Sancho I the first two kings of Portugal rest in elegant funerary chests in the chancel. There were neither Television and radio nor newspapers in the time King Manuel. But he well understood that a lot of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela will visit this place and they will be deeply impressed with such magnificent Royal Tombs. And he also understood that the pilgrims will spread rumors about these luxurious tombs and magnanimity of Portuguese King and his Kingdom through all Christian World. Yes, he was the great national leader! The high altar with these Royal tombs became the National Pantheon. The facade of the monastery combines Romanesque structural elements with XVIth-century decoration around the main doorway. The Triumphal Arch in front of the church entrance dates from the 19th century. Behind the monastery buildings is the lovely Manga Garden which used to be the Monastery’s bath. Formerly known as the Manga Fountain, it formed the centerpiece of one of the 3 cloisters of the monastery. The XVIth century Cloister of Silence is Manueline in style and has four bas-reliefs with scenes of Christ’s Passion by Nicola de Chanterenne. And here is the pulpit made by Nicola de Chanterenne in 1521.

Non commercial photo without flashlight and tripod is allowed.

Mon. - Sat.: 9 a.m. – 12:30 – 5 p.m.
Sun.: 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Public holidays: mornings only.
Free entry
To visit the Sacristy, Chapter House, Cloisters and Exhibition:
Ordinary ticket: € 2.50
Age 65 & over, & students: € 1.50
For school visits, permission must be obtained in advance from the Church.

4 more images

The monastery was founded in 1131 under the patronage of Dom Afonso Henriques the first King of Portugal and actual Father of nation. He granted that monastery to the order of Augustinian Canons. Among famous scholars of the monastery school was Saint Anthony of Lisbon better known to public as Saint Antonio of Padua, who joined the Grey Friars (Franciscan Order) at Coimbra. The Romanesque church was designed by the French master builder Robert. Unfortunately monastery was decaying step by step due to human negligence. Things changed totally in beginning of XVI century. King Manuel I being the wise ruler quite understood that his kingdom and nation urgently needed the national symbols. That’s why he decided to spend a lot of money received as the rewards for Portuguese geographical discoveries and colonial policy to restore that monastery.
Manueline work of first quarter of XVI century includes the vaulting attributed to Boitaca and the throne dating from 1513 crowned with decoration alluding to the Portuguese geographical discoveries. King Manuel I also commissioned the rebuilding of royal tombs of King Afonso Henriques I and his son King Sancho I. Both tombs are Renaissance in style and are fruit of the work of Nicolas Chanterenne. The bodies of Afonso Henriques and Sancho I the first two kings of Portugal rest in elegant funerary chests in the chancel. There were neither Television and radio nor newspapers in the time King Manuel. But he well understood that a lot of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela will visit this place and they will be deeply impressed with such magnificent Royal Tombs. And he also understood that the pilgrims will spread rumors about these luxurious tombs and magnanimity of Portuguese King and his Kingdom through all Christian World. Yes, he was the great national leader! The high altar with these Royal tombs became the National Pantheon. The facade of the monastery combines Romanesque structural elements with XVIth-century decoration around the main doorway. The Triumphal Arch in front of the church entrance dates from the 19th century. Behind the monastery buildings is the lovely Manga Garden which used to be the Monastery’s bath. Formerly known as the Manga Fountain, it formed the centerpiece of one of the 3 cloisters of the monastery. The XVIth century Cloister of Silence is Manueline in style and has four bas-reliefs with scenes of Christ’s Passion by Nicola de Chanterenne.
Non commercial photo without flashlight and tripod is allowed.

Mon. - Sat.: 9 a.m. – 12:30 – 5 p.m.
Sun.: 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Public holidays: mornings only.
Free entry
To visit the Sacristy, Chapter House, Cloisters and Exhibition:
Ordinary ticket: € 2.50
Age 65 & over, & students: € 1.50
For school visits, permission must be obtained in advance from the Church.

4 more images

The monastery was founded in 1131 under the patronage of Dom Afonso Henriques the first King of Portugal and actual Father of nation. He granted that monastery to the order of Augustinian Canons. Among famous scholars of the monastery school was Saint Anthony of Lisbon better known to public as Saint Antonio of Padua, who joined the Grey Friars (Franciscan Order) at Coimbra. The Romanesque church was designed by the French master builder Robert. Unfortunately monastery was decaying step by step due to human negligence. Things changed totally in beginning of XVI century. King Manuel I being the wise ruler quite understood that his kingdom and nation urgently needed the national symbols. That’s why he decided to spend a lot of money received as the rewards for Portuguese geographical discoveries and colonial policy to restore that monastery.
Manueline work of first quarter of XVI century includes the vaulting attributed to Boitaca and the throne dating from 1513 crowned with decoration alluding to the Portuguese geographical discoveries. King Manuel I also commissioned the rebuilding of royal tombs of King Afonso Henriques I and his son King Sancho I. Both tombs are Renaissance in style and are fruit of the work of Nicolas Chanterenne. The bodies of Afonso Henriques and Sancho I the first two kings of Portugal rest in elegant funerary chests in the chancel. There were neither Television and radio nor newspapers in the time King Manuel. But he well understood that a lot of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela will visit this place and they will be deeply impressed with such magnificent Royal Tombs. And he also understood that the pilgrims will spread rumors about these luxurious tombs and magnanimity of Portuguese King and his Kingdom through all Christian World. Yes, he was the great national leader! The high altar with these Royal tombs became the National Pantheon. The facade of the monastery combines Romanesque structural elements with XVIth-century decoration around the main doorway. The Triumphal Arch in front of the church entrance dates from the 19th century. Behind the monastery buildings is the lovely Manga Garden which used to be the Monastery’s bath. Formerly known as the Manga Fountain, it formed the centerpiece of one of the 3 cloisters of the monastery. The XVIth century Cloister of Silence is Manueline in style and has four bas-reliefs with scenes of Christ’s Passion by Nicola de Chanterenne. And here is the pulpit made by Nicola de Chanterenne in 1521.

Non commercial photo without flashlight and tripod is allowed.

Mon. - Sat.: 9 a.m. – 12:30 – 5 p.m.
Sun.: 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Public holidays: mornings only.
Free entry
To visit the Sacristy, Chapter House, Cloisters and Exhibition:
Ordinary ticket: € 2.50
Age 65 & over, & students: € 1.50
For school visits, permission must be obtained in advance from the Church.

4 more images

The monastery was founded in 1131 under the patronage of Dom Afonso Henriques the first King of Portugal and actual Father of nation. He granted that monastery to the order of Augustinian Canons. Among famous scholars of the monastery school was Saint Anthony of Lisbon better known to public as Saint Antonio of Padua, who joined the Grey Friars (Franciscan Order) at Coimbra. The Romanesque church was designed by the French master builder Robert. Unfortunately monastery was decaying step by step due to human negligence. Things changed totally in beginning of XVI century. King Manuel I being the wise ruler quite understood that his kingdom and nation urgently needed the national symbols. That’s why he decided to spend a lot of money received as the rewards for Portuguese geographical discoveries and colonial policy to restore that monastery.
Manueline work of first quarter of XVI century includes the vaulting attributed to Boitaca and the throne dating from 1513 crowned with decoration alluding to the Portuguese geographical discoveries. King Manuel I also commissioned the rebuilding of royal tombs of King Afonso Henriques I and his son King Sancho I. Both tombs are Renaissance in style and are fruit of the work of Nicolas Chanterenne. The bodies of Afonso Henriques and Sancho I the first two kings of Portugal rest in elegant funerary chests in the chancel. There were neither Television and radio nor newspapers in the time King Manuel. But he well understood that a lot of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela will visit this place and they will be deeply impressed with such magnificent Royal Tombs. And he also understood that the pilgrims will spread rumors about these luxurious tombs and magnanimity of Portuguese King and his Kingdom through all Christian World. Yes, he was the great national leader! The high altar with these Royal tombs became the National Pantheon. The facade of the monastery combines Romanesque structural elements with XVIth-century decoration around the main doorway. The Triumphal Arch in front of the church entrance dates from the 19th century. Behind the monastery buildings is the lovely Manga Garden which used to be the Monastery’s bath. Formerly known as the Manga Fountain, it formed the centerpiece of one of the 3 cloisters of the monastery. The XVIth century Cloister of Silence is Manueline in style and has four bas-reliefs with scenes of Christ’s Passion by Nicola de Chanterenne.
Non commercial photo without flashlight and tripod is allowed.

Mon. - Sat.: 9 a.m. – 12:30 – 5 p.m.
Sun.: 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Public holidays: mornings only.
Free entry
To visit the Sacristy, Chapter House, Cloisters and Exhibition:
Ordinary ticket: € 2.50
Age 65 & over, & students: € 1.50
For school visits, permission must be obtained in advance from the Church

4 more images

The monastery was founded in 1131 under the patronage of Dom Afonso Henriques the first King of Portugal and actual Father of nation. He granted that monastery to the order of Augustinian Canons. Among famous scholars of the monastery school was Saint Anthony of Lisbon better known to public as Saint Antonio of Padua, who joined the Grey Friars (Franciscan Order) at Coimbra. The Romanesque church was designed by the French master builder Robert. Unfortunately monastery was decaying step by step due to human negligence. Things changed totally in beginning of XVI century. King Manuel I being the wise ruler quite understood that his kingdom and nation urgently needed the national symbols. That’s why he decided to spend a lot of money received as the rewards for Portuguese geographical discoveries and colonial policy to restore that monastery.
Manueline work of first quarter of XVI century includes the vaulting attributed to Boitaca and the throne dating from 1513 crowned with decoration alluding to the Portuguese geographical discoveries. King Manuel I also commissioned the rebuilding of royal tombs of King Afonso Henriques I and his son King Sancho I. Both tombs are Renaissance in style and are fruit of the work of Nicolas Chanterenne. The bodies of Afonso Henriques and Sancho I the first two kings of Portugal rest in elegant funerary chests in the chancel. There were neither Television and radio nor newspapers in the time King Manuel. But he well understood that a lot of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela will visit this place and they will be deeply impressed with such magnificent Royal Tombs. And he also understood that the pilgrims will spread rumors about these luxurious tombs and magnanimity of Portuguese King and his Kingdom through all Christian World. Yes, he was the great national leader! The high altar with these Royal tombs became the National Pantheon. The facade of the monastery combines Romanesque structural elements with XVIth-century decoration around the main doorway. The Triumphal Arch in front of the church entrance dates from the 19th century. Behind the monastery buildings is the lovely Manga Garden which used to be the Monastery’s bath. Formerly known as the Manga Fountain, it formed the centerpiece of one of the 3 cloisters of the monastery. The XVIth century Cloister of Silence is Manueline in style and has four bas-reliefs with scenes of Christ’s Passion by Nicola de Chanterenne. And here is the pulpit made by Nicola de Chanterenne in 1521.

Non commercial photo without flashlight and tripod is allowed.

Mon. - Sat.: 9 a.m. – 12:30 – 5 p.m.
Sun.: 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Public holidays: mornings only.
Free entry
To visit the Sacristy, Chapter House, Cloisters and Exhibition:
Ordinary ticket: € 2.50
Age 65 & over, & students: € 1.50
For school visits, permission must be obtained in advance from the Church.

4 more images

The monastery was founded in 1131 under the patronage of Dom Afonso Henriques the first King of Portugal and actual Father of nation. He granted that monastery to the order of Augustinian Canons. Among famous scholars of the monastery school was Saint Anthony of Lisbon better known to public as Saint Antonio of Padua, who joined the Grey Friars (Franciscan Order) at Coimbra. The Romanesque church was designed by the French master builder Robert. Unfortunately monastery was decaying step by step due to human negligence. Things changed totally in beginning of XVI century. King Manuel I being the wise ruler quite understood that his kingdom and nation urgently needed the national symbols. That’s why he decided to spend a lot of money received as the rewards for Portuguese geographical discoveries and colonial policy to restore that monastery.
Manueline work of first quarter of XVI century includes the vaulting attributed to Boitaca and the throne dating from 1513 crowned with decoration alluding to the Portuguese geographical discoveries. King Manuel I also commissioned the rebuilding of royal tombs of King Afonso Henriques I and his son King Sancho I. Both tombs are Renaissance in style and are fruit of the work of Nicolas Chanterenne. The bodies of Afonso Henriques and Sancho I the first two kings of Portugal rest in elegant funerary chests in the chancel. There were neither Television and radio nor newspapers in the time King Manuel. But he well understood that a lot of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela will visit this place and they will be deeply impressed with such magnificent Royal Tombs. And he also understood that the pilgrims will spread rumors about these luxurious tombs and magnanimity of Portuguese King and his Kingdom through all Christian World. Yes, he was the great national leader! The high altar with these Royal tombs became the National Pantheon. The facade of the monastery combines Romanesque structural elements with XVIth-century decoration around the main doorway. The Triumphal Arch in front of the church entrance dates from the 19th century. Behind the monastery buildings is the lovely Manga Garden which used to be the Monastery’s bath. Formerly known as the Manga Fountain, it formed the centerpiece of one of the 3 cloisters of the monastery. The XVIth century Cloister of Silence is Manueline in style and has four bas-reliefs with scenes of Christ’s Passion by Nicola de Chanterenne. And here is the pulpit made by Nicola de Chanterenne in 1521.

Non commercial photo without flashlight and tripod is allowed.

Mon. - Sat.: 9 a.m. – 12:30 – 5 p.m.
Sun.: 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Public holidays: mornings only.
Free entry
To visit the Sacristy, Chapter House, Cloisters and Exhibition:
Ordinary ticket: € 2.50
Age 65 & over, & students: € 1.50
For school visits, permission must be obtained in advance from the Church.