Carved stone capital with creatures with human heads, in the nave of the Old Cathedral of Coimbra, or Se Velha de Coimbra, a 12th century Romanesque Roman Catholic cathedral in Coimbra, Portugal. The capitals in the cathedral date from between the Romanesque and Gothic periods, and show Arab and pre-Romanesque influences. The cathedral was designed by Master Robert, a French architect, with the works overseen by Master Bernard and Master Soeiro. It was reworked in the 16th century, with the addition of tiled decoration, a portal and Renaissance chapel. The city of Coimbra dates back to Roman times and was the capital of Portugal from 1131 to 1255. Its historic buildings are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Picture by Manuel Cohen
Add to Lightbox Download