Coimbra - New Cathedral

(Local Name: Sé Nova) From the north side of the Old Cathedral in Coimbra the steep Rua do Cabido goes up to the Largo da Feira, which has been considerably enlarged in recent years. On the north side of the square stands the Sé Nova, the new cathedral. Originally constructed for the Jesuits, building was begun in the late 16th C. but work continued well into the 17th C. and, with the banishment of the Jesuits, it was raised to cathedral status in 1772. It has a handsome Early Baroque facade and, inside, barrel vaulting, Baroque altars and a 17th C. organ.