1. The Arch of Almedina
and
Santa Clara-a-Velha Monastery

2. Arch of Almedina
This was the main
gateway of the
medieval city wall. Its
oldest part dates from
the 9th century, and
originally consisted of
2 turrets linked by an
arch.

3. The arch and the
tower, date back to the
Moorish occupation of the
city, XI century.
Its current appearance may
be the result of a
renovation in the early 16th
century, for determination
of Manuel I of Portugal.

4. Santa Clara-a-Velha Monastery
This convent was founded in 1283 by
the Abbess Dona Mor Dias, and given to
Clarisse nuns shortly afterwards.
Dona Isabel of Aragon, the Queen St
Isabel, took an interest in the convent
and had a new church built in Gothic
style, consecrated in 1330.

5. The convent is in romanesque-gothic style.
Its site proved a bad choice, due to flooding
from the River Mondego nearby.

6. Santa Clara-a-Velha Monastery is an archaeological site
and an interpretation centre, with visit to the ruins and
exhibition of archaeological finds from the convent.
In the sixteenth century, King Dom João IV ordered the
construction of the new monastery of Santa Clara Nova
situated at the top of the same hill.