On May 7, 2023, on the occasions of the certification ceremony of HCR, and the Café Santa Cruz centennial celebrations, took place the unveiling of the Historic Cafés Route sign.
The emblematic Café Santa Cruz, one of the oldest in Portugal, which was “the church of the poor”, is one of the oldest members of the Historic Cafés Route, and has been actively involved for a century in the cultural, social and literary life of the City and the wider Region.
Placed inside the Café, on one of its walls since its façade is also designated as a historical monument, the sign is now visible to all who frequent the Café, both regulars of the city and tourists from all over the world.
Directly opposite is the sign of the certification of the Historic Cafés Route as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe (2022).
During the revealing event, the Historic Cafés Route sign was covered by the flag of the city of Coimbra, which was the capital of Portugal between 1139 and about 1260.
In fact, in the city’s Cathedral – right next to the Café Santa Cruz – are buried – among others – the first two kings of Portugal.
The unveiling of the sign was done by the Executive Director of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, Stefano Dominioni, the Mayor of the City, José Manuel Silva, the President of Centre of Portugal Tourism, Pedro Machado, the president of the Union of Parishes of Coimbra João Francisco Campos, and Vitor de Sá Marques, co-owner of Café Santa Cruz, member of the Board of Directors of the Historic Cafés Route and HCR Ambassador in Portugal.
George Loverdos, HCR Route Manager and Maria Mystakidou, HCR Communication Manager, were present to Coimbra, representing HCR. The events were also attended by Arnold Klingeis, HCR Ambassador in Romania and manager of the Brukenthal Palace Café in Avrig, Romania.
During the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Café Santa Cruz, a series of speeches and musical events were held both in the Café and at the Central Square of Coimbra – Praça 8 de Maio – where Santa Cruz is located.
All the events were widely covered by the local and national media.