A Café with History, a café with Memory...
Talking about Café Santa Cruz is like taking a journey back in time to the mid-16th century.
The café is housed in the former Church of St. John of Santa Cruz, which was part of the Monastery of Santa Cruz. The Monastery of Santa Cruz de Coimbra was founded in 1131 by Archdeacon D. Telo, along with D. João Peculiar, S. Teotónio, and other religious figures, who adopted the rule of the Regular Canons of St. Augustine.
Construction of the Church of St. John of Santa Cruz
1530
Liberal Revolution and expulsion of the Religious Orders
1834
Classification of the building as a National Monument
1921
Opening of Café Santa Cruz
1923
Alexandre Marques takes over the management of Café Santa Cruz
1974
Formation of the company (Alexandre Marques, Marcelino Pestana, and Arnaldo Gonçalves)
1985
Rehabilitation works of 8 May Square
1994
Requalification works of Café Santa Cruz
2001
Creation of the "Crúzio"
2012
Awarding of the gold medal for business merit of the city of Coimbra
2013
Inclusion in the "Cafés with History of Portugal" itinerary
2014
