The Miracle of the Roses is one of the most emblematic stories associated with Queen Saint Isabel, a figure venerated in Portugal and Spain for her kindness, compassion and dedication to those most in need.
According to legend, one winter day, Isabel left the palace with bread hidden in her lap to distribute to the poor. When questioned by King D. Dinis about what she was carrying, she replied that they were roses. When she opened her cloak, the bread miraculously transformed into flowers, even in the harsh winter, reinforcing her aura of holiness and her devotion to the most vulnerable.
"The City Day, celebrated on July 4th, coincides with the liturgical date of the Holy Queen, highlighting the deep bond between Isabel and Coimbra."
In Coimbra, where Queen Saint Isabel spent her final years and where she is buried in the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova, her memory is celebrated in a special way. The City Day, celebrated on July 4th, coincides with the liturgical date of the Queen Saint, highlighting the deep bond between Isabel and Coimbra. Every two years, the streets of the city are filled with the faithful for the grand Procession of the Queen Saint, who carries her float through the streets, in an act of devotion that attracts pilgrims and visitors from all over the country. This event keeps alive the spiritual connection between Coimbra and its patron saint.
Devotion to Queen Saint Isabel transcends borders and is also celebrated in Spain, her homeland. The Miracle of the Roses and her life marked by charity and humility are a legacy that inspires generations. Coimbra preserves and honours this memory not only with celebrations, but also with the beauty and symbolism of the Monastery of Santa Clara, which continues to be a place of pilgrimage and reflection, inviting everyone to discover the story of a woman who left her mark on the city and the nation forever.
Did you know that the incorrupt hand of Queen Saint Elizabeth is shown to the faithful every four years?
This relic, kept in the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova, is a symbol of Isabel's sanctity and the devotion paid to her. The moment when the relic is displayed is filled with emotion and faith, attracting thousands of people who wish to pay homage to the saint who forever marked the history of Coimbra and Portugal.
Municipal Tourist Office
Old Coimbra Station A
António Granjo Street No. 6
3000-429 Coimbra, Portugal
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Monday to Friday
9h30-13h00 | 14h00-16h30
(Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays)
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