Convent of São Francisco

The space is fully operational as a cultural center and performance hall, hosting nationally and internationally renowned events throughout the year.

Its privileged location offers a beautiful view of Coimbra and the Mondego River, and it is easily accessible for visitors.

It features several auditoriums, multipurpose rooms, a café, restaurant, and exhibition areas.

In addition to its artistic programming, the space is open to those who wish to visit the restored former convent, even outside specific events.

There are guided tours that explain the historical and architectural significance of the building.

The Convent of São Francisco stands out for its ability to combine the monumentality of 17th-century Franciscan architecture with contemporary cultural facilities.

It is one of the few examples in the country of such large-scale and high-quality heritage reconversion.

The convent was founded in the 17th century by the Franciscan Order, at a time when Coimbra was also asserting itself as a spiritual center.

Its original location, by the Mondego River, underwent several interventions over the centuries and was partially abandoned after the dissolution of religious orders in the 19th century.

After a long period of decline, it underwent a thorough rehabilitation and was reopened in 2016 as the Convento de São Francisco Cultural Center.

This renovation has returned to the city a monumental space with its own life, honoring historical heritage and embracing the future of artistic creation in Coimbra.