Description of the attraction
The construction of a new building for the Santa Clara Convent in Coimbra began in 1649. The old monastery, built at the end of the 13th century, was destroyed, and it was decided to build a new building for the nuns of the Order of Saint Clara.
The project of the monastery was developed by the Benedictine monk and royal architect João Turriano, the construction was supervised by the royal architect Mateus do Couto. The construction of the new building took a long time. In 1677, nuns moved into the new building of the monastery, which became known as the Santa Clara-a-Nova Monastery. In 1696, the consecration of the temple took place.
The main portal of the monastery church is decorated with the royal coat of arms, which is supported by two angels. The interior of the temple is made in the Baroque style. The church has one nave, there is no transept. The side chapels and the main chapel are decorated with 14 altarpieces of the 17th century in the style of "talha dorada" - altar paintings framed by carved and gilded wood. In addition, the tomb with the ashes of Queen Isabella of Portugal, the founder of this monastery, was transported to the new monastery. After the death of her husband, King Dinish, the queen stayed in the Coimbra monastery of Santa Clara until her death and was buried there. Therefore, among the locals, this monastery is also called the monastery of Queen Isabella. A tomb with ashes, made of silver and crystal, is located near the main altar of the church. In front of the church there is a monument to Queen Isabella, made by the sculptor Antonio Texeira Lopes in the 19th century.
In 1733, covered galleries in the Renaissance style were built in the monastery. The construction of these galleries was supervised by the Hungarian architect Carlos Mardel.
