Convento da Rainha Santa Isabel – Patron Saint of the city of Coimbra.
The “Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Nova” or “Convento da Rainha Santa Isabel” was built in the 17th century to replace the former Santa Clara-a-Velha Monastery, founded by “Rainha Santa Isabel“, patron saint of the city of Coimbra.
Situated on the left bank of the Mondego River, the Santa Clara-a-Velha Convent was constantly flooded and hence the need to build a new building for the “Clarissas” community (female Catholic religious order of monastic enclosure).
Today, Santa Clara-a-Nova Monastery is an important repository of Portuguese art from the 14th to the 18th centuries and houses the relics of “Rainha Santa Isabel”. In the rich Mannerist style church, highlighting the silver urn with crystal glasses containing the body of “Rainha Santa Isabel” installed there in 1696. The original tomb, in a single stone, commissioned by the queen, is located in the Low choir accompanied by wooden panels that tell the story of her life.
A large part of the Monastery was occupied as barracks by the military during the 20th century and currently houses the biennial contemporary art exhibition Anozero.
Hours: Every day from 08:30 to 19:00 in summer and from 08:30 to 18:00 in winter. Contact: 239 441 674.
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