Holy Cross Church

Founded in 1131 outside the protecting

walls of Coimbra. It was the most

important monastic house of Portuguese

monarchy. Its school was essential in

Middle Ages and also a meeting point for the

intellectual and powerful elites.

Its scriptorium was responsible for the propaganda machine of King Afonso Henriques, being not strange at

all his decision to be buried exactly in Santa Cruz of Coimbra.

The single nave leads to the main chapel containing the tombs of the first two kings of Portugal, Afonso

Henriques and Sancho I.

Downtown Square