Igreja do Convento de São Francisco

Igreja do Convento de São Francisco in Coimbra is the church of a former Franciscan friary on the left bank of the Mondego River, in the Santa Clara district. The whole complex now works as the Convento São Francisco cultural and congress centre.

What is this church and how did it come about?

The Franciscans reached Coimbra as early as the 12th century. Their first friary, dating from the 13th century, stood close to the water. Floods and a silting riverbed eventually made it unfit to live in. The friars moved to the west bank, below Monte da Esperança, and began the new complex in 1602. The royal architect Vincenzo Casale drew up the design, and the Portuguese builder Isidro ran the works. The community used the friary for centuries, and it stood empty by the end of the 20th century.

What will you see?

The church has a plain, calm form with monumental proportions. Decoration is restrained, so the architecture does the talking. Next to it is a cloister that blends learned and vernacular building traditions. After restoration the complex gained a new role. Since 2016 it has hosted concerts, theatre and dance, exhibitions and conferences. Guided tours explain the history and architecture of the site.

What is its heritage status?

The church lies inside the protection zone of the Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Nova, a National Monument since 1910. A procedure to classify the church itself as a heritage property began in 2017. Building work here is subject to archaeological supervision. Excavations from 2008 onwards shed light on how the complex was built, a process that had been entirely unstudied before.

How do you get there?

The main entrance is on Calçada de Santa Isabel, at the junction with Rua Dr. Mendes dos Remédios. From central Coimbra you can walk across the bridge over the Mondego, and the Santa Clara area is pleasant to explore on foot. Coordinates are 40.2034 N, 8.4362 W.

What else is nearby?

The Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Nova stands on the hill above, so both sites fit into a single walk. The old town and the university lie across the river.

Frequently asked questions

Are religious services still held here? The building now serves as a cultural and congress centre. Check the organiser's event programme before you go.

Can I join a guided tour? Yes. Tours cover the friars' history and the architecture of the building.

Is this the same site as Convento de São Francisco da Ponte? Yes, that is the name used for the former friary in Santa Clara. Do not confuse it with the São Francisco churches in Porto, Évora or Faro.

When is the best time to visit? Come on an event day, when the interiors are open to the public. The current calendar is on the centre's website.