The Convento de Santa Clara-a-Velha includes the well-preserved Gothic ruins of a 14th-century monastery. It contains a visitor center with exhibits that explain the intriguing archaeological traces and architectural designs of the convent. Piece together the history of this nunnery with a tour of the vestiges that remain.
Discover the lower part of the church that still stands today and see the cloister. Make your way to the interpretive center for its fascinating museum. Chat with docents for a glimpse into the monastery’s past and imagine it as it was many centuries ago, when it was run by the Order of St. Clare. Watch the museum’s films relating to the regional history and inspect the various archaeological artifacts discovered around this site.
The interpretive center also contains a shop, where you can purchase souvenirs relating to the convent. Relax in the café with snacks and refreshments amid the fascinating architecture of the monastery.
Enjoy the excellent views across the Mondego River of the rest of the Old Town district. The impressive skyline includes churches, portals and Coimbra University.
Note that the monastery was built in 1314 and had to be abandoned in the 1600s due to the impact of frequent flooding from the nearby Mondego River. The surviving vestiges were finally excavated in the late 20th century, before opening to the public once more in 2009.
The convent opens daily except Mondays from morning until evening, with shorter hours in winter. Pay an entrance fee and buy a small brochure with explanatory detail about the monastery.
The Convento de Santa Clara-a-Velha is on the more spacious western flank of the Mondego River across from the historic center of Coimbra. Walk southwest and cross the river from the Coimbra Railway Station to get here in about 15 minutes. Make sure to see nearby attractions, including the Coimbra University Stadium, the Portugal dos Pequenitos miniature village and the University Astronomy Observatory.
