The church was originally built as the Church of the Most Holy Name of Jesus for the Jesuit College of Coimbra.
It became the seat of the Bishop of Coimbra in 1772 following the expulsion of the Jesuits from Portugal by the Marquis of Pombal.
The facade contains four niches featuring statues of Jesuit saints: Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Francis Borgia, and Aloysius Gonzaga.
The interior layout follows the traditional Jesuit-style 'hall church' design, favoring wide, unobstructed naves for preaching.
The pipe organ, dating from the early 18th century, is one of the most significant historical instruments in the region.
The building was designed by architect Baltazar Álvares, a prominent figure in Portuguese Mannerism.
The New Cathedral of the Holy Name of Jesus, known locally as Sé Nova, is a Mannerist-style Jesuit church located in the heart of Coimbra's historic district. Originally constructed between 1598 and 1698, the building replaced a former Jesuit college chapel to serve as the city's cathedral in 1772. The facade features a prominent high-relief sculpture of the Holy Name of Jesus and is flanked by two distinct bell towers. The interior houses an impressive collection of 17th and 18th-century gilded woodcarving, specifically in its main altarpiece. Notable features include the choir stalls relocated from the Old Cathedral (Sé Velha) during the 18th-century transition. The church stands as a defining example of the Counter-Reformation ecclesiastical architecture in Portugal.
Stand on the far side of the Largo Feira dos Estudantes to capture the full symmetrical elevation of the facade and its two towers.
Walk the steep streets around the cathedral to see the contrast between the Mannerist facade and the surrounding medieval university quarter.
Check the side chapels for detailed Azulejo tile panels that depict various religious scenes.
Look up at the ceiling to observe the complex barrel vaulting typical of the era.
Do not mistake it for the Sé Velha (Old Cathedral) located further down the hill; they are distinct historic sites with different architectural styles.
Occasionally closed for private religious ceremonies or local university events; check local notices posted on the main door.
Maintain silence, keep shoulders and knees covered, and remove hats while inside the nave.
