Sé Velha de Coimbra Audio Guide
Explore Sé Velha de Coimbra with Stanza's GPS-triggered offline audio guide.
About the Tour
The Old Cathedral of Coimbra is a Romanesque cathedral noted for its fortress-like appearance and historical significance in the city. It served as the primary cathedral of the diocese until the 18th century.
What you will hear
The Fortress Facade and West Portal
Establishes the cathedral's identity as a defensive stronghold. Includes a wide view of the crenellated walls and a detail of the main Romanesque portal.
The West Portal
The main entrance features deeply receding stone arches and carved columns that have welcomed worshippers and royalty alike for over eight centuries.
The Main Nave and Lantern Tower
Introduces the interior scale and the signature lantern tower that provides natural light to the transept.
The Main Nave
Inside, the cathedral's massive stone architecture creates a somber and powerful atmosphere, highlighted by a high barrel vault that stretches toward the distant altar.
The Lantern Tower Vault
Looking directly up at the intersection of the church's main axes, you'll see a complex stone vault designed to flood the interior with natural light.
The Romanesque Capitals
Focuses on the Mozarabic influence in the cathedral's sculpture, featuring the unique collection of geometric and animal motifs.
Vegetal Stone Motifs
These capitals display a transition toward naturalistic plant shapes, where deep stone carving creates a sense of organic lightness despite the heavy material.
The Romanesque-Gothic Cloister
Explores the transition between styles, from the round arches of the Romanesque to the pointed arches of the early Gothic.
The Transitioning Cloister
Started in 1218, this cloister showcases an architectural transition where traditional round arches meet the pointed arches of the emerging Gothic style.
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