Religious site
Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha
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The Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha (Old Monastery of Saint Clare) is a hauntingly beautiful Gothic convent founded in the 14th century. Due to flooding from the nearby Mondego River, the convent was gradually abandoned and buried in silt. Today, it has been excavated and preserved as an archaeological site, with the church's skeletal arches and walls rising above a reflecting pool. Visitors can explore the ruins, walk through the former cloister, and visit the on-site museum that displays artifacts and explains the history of the convent and its nuns, including the story of Queen Isabel.
Don't miss
- Ruins of the Gothic church with pointed arches and rose window
- Museum with archaeological finds and exhibits on monastic life
- Reflecting pool that mirrors the ruins, creating dramatic photo opportunities
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha
You can visit Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha on your own. A guide is worth it for the history and detail that is easy to walk past, and a tour can combine it with nearby sights.
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