Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha
Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha
A 14th-century Gothic monastery buried for centuries under silt from the Mondego River. Excavations have revealed part of its church and cloister.
The monastery was expanded in the early 14th century by Queen Saint Elizabeth. Because of repeated river floods, the nuns abandoned it in the 17th century, and it was gradually buried in silt. Excavations began with pumping water out at the end of the 20th century. Today you can see the half-buried Gothic church and cloister ruins. The visitor centre displays artifacts found during the excavations and shows a documentary film.
It stands on the south bank of the Mondego River, about 10 minutes' walk from the Old Town across the Santa Clara Bridge. Tickets cost about €5. It is closed on Mondays.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun, approx. 10:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Portugal dos Pequenitos
- Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova
- Quinta das Lágrimas
- Pedro e Inês Footbridge & Parque Verde do Mondego
- Arco de Almedina & Quebra-Costas
- Fado ao Centro
- Biblioteca Joanina
- University of Coimbra – Paço das Escolas