Coimbra Cathedral

new cathedral of Coimbra

The new Coimbra Cathedral is the episcopal church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Coimbra in the central Portuguese city of Coimbra .

location

The new cathedral is located on the old hill of the city of Coimbra opposite the historic university at a height of approx. 140 m . The old cathedral Sé Velha is only 150 m away.

history

The traditional diocese of Coimbra has existed since the 6th century; it also survived the phase of the Islamic - Moorish occupation until the reconquest ( reconquista ) of the city in 1064. The Jesuit order founded its first settlement in Coimbra in 1541 (or 1543). The former Jesuit church , which was planned and started by Baltazar Álvares, and the entire convent complex were built for around 100 years (1598–1698). After the Jesuit order was abolished and expelled from Portugal in the 1750s, the building continued to be used as a bishop's church from 1772.

architecture

Interior of the church

The church only takes up about a quarter of the area of the huge convent complex. The late Renaissance facade, loosened up by four figure niches in the lower part , but generally rather straight and strict , experiences a baroque loosening of forms in the upper part . These include the lateral volutes as well as the stone national coat of arms or the blown gables of the two lunettes ; smaller ornamental forms such as obelisks or spheres should also be mentioned. The bell towers , barely noticeable in the background of the facade, suggest that this was originally planned completely differently.

Despite the three portals on the outside, the inside of the church has only one nave ; however, it has side chapels , a transept and a crossing dome with a lantern . The vaults are all cassette- shaped.

Furnishing

The equipment of the church with a carved figures and twisted part of Solomon's columns richly stocked altarpiece in Churrigueresque style in the just-concluded apse . The side altars and the baptismal font of the church also deserve attention.