The Shop

Café Santa Cruz is in the former Church of S. João de Santa Cruz, built in
1530 and part of the Monastery of Santa Cruz.
During the reign of King Manuel I (1495-1521), the revitalization of the various
spaces of the Monastery of Santa Cruz, which was in an advanced state of
degradation, was triggered. It was during the reign of King John III (1521-1557) that
the Church of S. João de Santa Cruz was built.
From its deconsecrating in 1834 until 1920, a set of quite different commercial
activities passed through here.
In February 1921, a project for the alteration of the facade by Jaime Inácio
dos Santos was presented, which includes levelling the floor and the interior
furnishing decoration with exotic woods, furniture – with marble tabletops and leather
chairs. Its unique atmosphere is reinforced by stained glass windows that create a
special interior lighting.
In October 1921, the entire building was considered a National Monument.
The architecture and decoration of Café Santa Cruz reflect not only the
economic, cultural, and social life of Coimbra, but also the artistic currents of the time.
The construction and restoration were carried out by Augusto Monteiro and
his son José.
The stained-glass windows on the facade were made by the Almeida brothers,
from Cerâmica de Coimbra, and by Afonso Pessoa. The wrought iron chandeliers
that hang from the ceiling were executed by an artist from Coimbra – António Maria
da Conceição.

Shop History

Within the segment of Historical Cafés, Café Santa Cruz is certainly one of
the last and most genuine in Coimbra.
Since its opening, in addition to the daily cafeteria activity, Café Santa Cruz
has established itself as the most famous meeting point in the city, assuming its role
in the cultural life of the city, being the stage for various cultural events (Fado
sessions, literary gatherings, exhibitions, urban craft fairs, book publishing, book
presentations, musical performances, etc.) and political events (being a mandatory
stop for all local and national campaigns). But it is also a space that can be used as
a setting for movies, advertising, or TV shows.
In sports, for many years, it was the stage for gatherings of União de Coimbra
supporters and "futricas”.
Part of the collection is displayed at Café Santa Cruz, through original pieces:
furniture, wall covering, stained glass windows, as well as a collection of photographs
and various documents that show the evolution of the city of Coimbra, Praça 8 de
Maio and Café Santa Cruz over the last 100 years.
In 2012, it launched the "Crúzio" sweet, made based on an old recipe used
when Café Santa Cruz was both a café and a restaurant.
Currently, it is the headquarters of the Portuguese Association of Historical
Cafés, which, starting in 2015, includes all management and promotion of the Route
of Historical Cafés in Portugal.

Products and Services

In addition to the daily cafeteria activity, it hosts and promotes other events
such as music performances (especially Jazz and Fado de Coimbra), book
publishing and presentations, literary gatherings on various topics, exhibitions
(photography, painting, artistic installations), political debates, and urban craft fairs.
These events, which complement and reinforce the offer, are valuable contributions
to its differentiation, where culture is an integral part.

Business Hours

Contacts

Parish: União das freguesias de Coimbra (Sé Nova, Santa Cruz, Almedina e São Bartolomeu)
Address: Praça 8 de Maio 4, 6, 7, 3000-300 Coimbra
Postal Code: 3000-300 Coimbra
239833617
geral@cafesantacruz.com
https://www.cafesantacruz.com
https://www.instagram.com/cafesantacruz/
https://www.facebook.com/cafesantacruzcoimbra

General Data

Main activity: Restaurants, pubs, café and Hotels
Opening Year: 1923
Main Code of Economic Activity (CAE): 56301