Church of Santa Cruz

Church of Santa Cruz is a medieval monastery church in Coimbra with a main portal rebuilt in the early 1500s that blends late Gothic and Renaissance styles. The interior contains royal burial chambers in the chancel and features ornate wooden choir stalls carved with maritime scenes.

The church was founded in medieval times and underwent major reconstruction in the early 1500s with a new portal and interior reorganization. The first two kings of Portugal were moved to stone tombs here during those renovations of the 1530s.

The church choir displays carved wooden stalls from the 1500s with detailed friezes showing Portuguese sailing ships from the era of maritime expansion. These carvings reflect how important seafaring was to Portugal's story.

The monastery section now operates as a museum space where visitors can walk through and examine the carved elements and royal burial areas. Allow time to look closely at the wooden details and stonework, as much of the artistry is in the fine craftsmanship.

The church organ contains 4000 pipes adorned with Japanese decorative motifs, an uncommon pairing of European and Far Eastern artistic influences. Playing this instrument requires four musicians working together at the same time to produce its full range of sound.