I Dona Isabel Queen of Portugal

The exhibition “Eu Dona Isabel, Rainha de Portugal” at the Almedina Tower marks the 400th anniversary of the canonization of Isabel of Aragon, known as the Holy Queen, and will run until May 23, 2026. It is curated by Milton Pacheco and Raquel Magalhães. Admission is free and the exhibition can be visited from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The exhibition is organized into three thematic sections: “Life of the Queen”, “Will of the Queen” and “Coimbra of the Queen”. The first section presents a biographical overview of Isabella of Aragon, Infanta of Aragon and wife of King Dinis, who was canonized in 1625. The second section deals with her will and the distribution of her estate. The last section highlights the Holy Queen’s connection to the city of Coimbra, namely through the foundation of the Monastery of Santa Clara, where she was buried and left her treasure.

D. Isabel spent the last years of her life in Coimbra after the king’s death in 1325. She died in 1336 and was canonized in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome by Pope Urban VIII. Since then, Coimbra has welcomed her as its patron saint, paying homage to her religious and political figure in the biennial festivals and in the traditional procession that takes place around July 4, the date of her death.

The exhibition aims to show the spiritual, social and heritage legacy of the Holy Queen, a central figure in the history and identity of Coimbra.