Description of the attraction
The old Cathedral of Se Velha is one of the most striking examples of the Romanesque style in the architecture of the Roman Catholic churches in Portugal.
Construction on Se Velha began shortly after the Battle of Ourik, around 1140. Count Afonso Henriques won this battle and proclaimed himself king of Portugal, and the city of Coimbra was chosen as the capital of the state. Afonso Henriques, with the support of Bishop Miguel Salomao, began the construction of the cathedral, which later housed the bishop's pulpit. It is worth noting that the first count of the city, Mosarab Sisinando Davidesh, is buried in this cathedral.
In 1185, the second king of Portugal, Sancho I, was crowned in Se Velha, although the cathedral was not yet fully completed. The building, together with the covered galleries, was completely finished at the beginning of the 13th century.
It is believed that the project of the temple belongs to the French architect Robert, who at that time supervised the construction of the cathedral in Lisbon and visited Coimbra quite often. Architects Bernard and Soeiro took part in the construction of Se Velha.
In the 16th century, additional work was carried out in the cathedral: the chapels, the walls inside and the supports of the nave were covered with ceramic tiles. The northern facade and the southern chapel of the apse were redesigned in the Renaissance style, although the temple was mainly built in the Romanesque style.
In 1772, some time after the expulsion of the Jesuits from Portugal, the episcopate from the old medieval cathedral of Se Velha was transferred to a Jesuit church built in the Mannerist style, which later became known as the New Cathedral of Coimbra.
The Old Cathedral is practically the only Romanesque cathedral that has been perfectly preserved from the time of the Reconquista. The large number of relief capitals are typical of Romanesque decoration and give the cathedral a majesty and beauty.
Description added:
Natalia Topcheeva 07.25.2015
In the old cathedral, attention is drawn to the main chapel with an altar made of carved and gilded wood - talha dorada. This is a relatively late work from 1498-1508, created by Flemish masters. The interior of the temple, by order of King Manuel the First, was decorated with tiled tiles with a geometer
Show all text In the old cathedral, the main chapel with an altar made of carved and gilded wood - talha dorada - attracts attention. This is a relatively late work from 1498-1508, created by Flemish masters. The interior of the temple, by order of King Manuel the First, was decorated with tiled tiles with geometric Arabic designs. This was the very first invasion of the art of azulejos - tiled tiles - into medieval cult architecture.
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