Cafe Santa Cruz, Coimbra
Next door to the Igreja de Santa Cruz (Monastery of Santa Cruz) in Coimbra is the superb Cafe Santa Cruz set in a former chapel of the monastery. The cafe retains the original vaulted Manueline ceiling and stained-glass.
Enjoy a Portuguese pastry and coffee on the marble tables while you admire the ornate wood paneling. The cafe is a meeting place for artists, journalists, writers, and also supporters of local football team, União de Coimbra.
History
The Igreja de Santa Cruz (aka Mosteiro de Santa Cruz) in Coimbra is an historic monastery church that originally dates from 1131.
The main church contains the tombs of Portugal's first two monarchs: Afonso Henriques (1109-1185) and his son and successor Sancho I (1154-1211). The monastery was an important and wealthy centre of learning in the medieval period attracting both scholars and royal patronage.
The cafe itself is housed in a chapel next to the main church. This church, the Igreja de São João de Santa Cruz (aka Igreja de São João das Donas), was built in 1530 to serve as the parish church of São João da Cruz. After the dissolution of the monastic orders in 1834 it was abandoned. The church was then subsequently used as a hardware warehouse, a police station, a plumbing warehouse, a fire station and even as a funeral home.
Three local businessmen, Adriano Ferreira da Cunha, Adriano Viegas da Cunha Lucas and Mário Pais decided to convert the now delapidated space into a cafe/restaurant. They constructed a new Manueline facade and emploted local craftesmen to create the chandeliers and interior furnishings. The cafe opened on May 8, 1923 to reflect its address at Praça 8 de Maio and has been going strong ever since.
Indeed, the cafe enjoyed its centennial in 2023.
Nearby
Other attractions in Coimbra include the Sé Velha (old Cathedral), the Museu Nacional de Machado de Castro and the buildings of Coimbra University (Sala dos Capelos & Capela de São Miquel). Also within Coimbra are the Sé Nova, Coimbra Botanical Garden and the Museu da Ciência.
Hotels
Hotels in Coimbra are mostly clustered close to the railway station. In this area are the Hotel Astoria, the three-star Hotel Oslo and the budget Hotel ibis Coimbra Centro overlooking the Mondego River and just 300 meters from Coimbra A Train Station.
Other alternatives are the four-star NH Coimbra Dona Ines with a business centre, tennis court, outdoor pool and car rental facilities. The nearby Tivoli Coimbra also has four stars and comes recommended. Also virtually next door to the NH Coimbra Dona Ines is the Hotel Vila Galé Coimbra, a four-star accommodation with indoor and outdoor pools and extensive spa.
See a listing of accommodation in Coimbra.
Access
Praça 8 de Maio
3000-300 Coimbra
Tel: 0239 833 617
www: cafesantacruz.com
The cafe is open daily from 7 am or 8 am (Thursday, Saturday, Sunday) to midnight.