Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha
Portugal
The incredible love story between a Portuguese prince and a princess's maid, which took place in the ancient forest surrounding this ancient monastery, is one of the most tragic love stories in world history. Learn about the miracles that sanctified the queen who had the monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha built and be dazzled by the wonderful view over the charming city of Coimbra.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the Moh-shtay-roo deh San-tah Klah-rah-ah-Vehl-yah, one of Portugal's most poignant and historically rich archaeological sites. As we stand on the south bank of the Mon-day-go River in Coimbra, we are looking at a…
Listen in the app2The Founding and the Legacy of Queen Isabel
The history of this site is inextricably linked to Queen Isabel of Aragon, known to history as the Holy Queen. While the monastery was technically founded earlier by Don-nah Moor in 1283, it was Isabel who truly breathed life…
Listen in the app3The Gothic Church: A Study in Resilience
Descending toward the church, we are entering the heart of the monastic complex. This structure is a textbook example of Portuguese Gothic architecture. …
Listen in the app4The Cloisters and the Life of the Nuns
To the side of the church lie the remains of the cloisters, the private world of the Poor Clare nuns. The cloister was the literal and figurative center of monastic life—a place for walking, meditation, and performing daily tasks. …
Listen in the app5The Archaeological Excavation and Preservation
The preservation of San-tah Klah-rah-ah-Vehl-yah is a triumph of modern archaeology and engineering. For centuries, the site was almost completely forgotten, with only the upper parts of the church visible above the ground. …
Listen in the app6The Abandonment and the Move to Santa Clara-a-Nova
By the mid-17th century, the situation at the monastery had become untenable. The flooding of the Mon-day-go was occurring with increasing frequency and severity, often leaving the ground floor of the church and cloisters…
Listen in the app7The Visitor Center and Museum Collection
Before we finish our journey through the site, we must discuss the modern Interpretation Center and its role in telling the monastery's story. This facility serves as a vital bridge for the modern visitor. …
Listen in the app8Closing
As we conclude our tour of the Moh-shtay-roo deh San-tah Klah-rah-ah-Vehl-yah, I hope you feel a sense of the profound history that resides in these ruins. We have explored the legacy of Queen Saint Isabel, the architectural…
Listen in the app
What is Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha?
Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha is a place in Portugal with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Portugal |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 40.2009, -8.4318 |
| Last updated |
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within a 5-minute walk
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