The story of Old Cathedral of Coimbra

From outside, the Old Cathedral of Coimbra looks like a small fortress, with high crenellated walls and only a few narrow windows, a reminder of the warlike times in which it was built. Its story begins after the Battle of Ourique in 1139, when Afonso Henriques declared himself King of Portugal, chose Coimbra as his capital and decided to pay for a new cathedral. Bishop Miguel Salomão gave the project its decisive push.

By 1185 the building was advanced enough for King Sancho I, the second king of Portugal, to be crowned here. The design is attributed to Master Robert, possibly a Frenchman, who was also directing work on Lisbon Cathedral. This is the only Portuguese Romanesque cathedral from the time of the Reconquista to survive relatively intact.

Walk round to the north side to see the Porta Especiosa, a three-storey Renaissance portal built in the 1530s by the French sculptor João de Ruão. The first Count of Coimbra, Sisnando Davides, is buried inside.