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 Coimbra Accommodation
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Coimbra - History
This city holds a special place in the hearts of all the Portuguese. Rich
in its history and is the oldest seat of learning in Portugal with a
University founded on the 13th of August in 1290 by King Dinis.
This makes it one of the oldest in the world. Coimbra was liberated
from Moor occupation in 1064 and was then developed as a town by the capable
Conde de Sesmundo who was the master here for 27 years. Six of Portugal’s
Kings were born here and between 1139 and 1256 it was the chosen capital of
the country. The name of this city during the Roman period was Aeminium,
and but it later developed under the influence of the greater nearby town of
Conimbriga. This latter place is now an important archaeological site
of great interest with a museum to display the findings from the diggings.
At first sight the town appears more devoted to commerce than learning but
the skyline above the lower part of the city suggest its real purpose. (Visit - Portugal History)
Coimbra - Description
The Sé Velho was originally built in the 12th Century and is one of
the best examples of Romanesque churches in Portugal. The Sé Nova
was built at the turn of the 16th Century by the Jesuits to demonstrate
their growing strength within the country. The charming and elegant 16th
Century Museu Nacional Machado de Castro was formerly the Bishop’s
Palace and is now the depository of some of Portugal’s finest sculpture. On
display is a mixture of other items including ancient art and up to the 20th
Century. In an underground maze of linking Roman passages it exhibits items
from that all the periods. The visually interesting 12th Century Mosteiro
de Santa Cruz has been added to at various times and within is the tomb
of the first King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques. The 16th Century
addition of the Claustro do Siléncio is a fine example of a Manueline
cloister. Two of Portugal’s most revered Queens were temporary laid to rest
in the 13th Century Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha. They were
Santa Isabel and the tragically murdered Inês de Castro. The
Claustro de Santa Clara-a-Nova was constructed in the 17th Century
to re-house the nuns from the often-flooded older Convent. It became the
final resting-place of the remains of Queen Santa Isabel who is most
revered as a Saint. Her preserved corpse is on display in a structure behind
a glass frontage.
In the city there are many churches that are also worth visiting, especially
from the 12th Century. Igreja de Santa Cruz is a church that was later
altered in the 16th Century to its present fine example of Manueline carved
architecture work. Coimbra also boasts the largest Botanical Garden in the
country which covers 20 hectares. The University buildings have over time
been generally replaced and the main buildings tend to have been constructed
or re-constructed in the early 18th Century. Within the students library of
Biblioteca Joanna there is an amazing collection of over 300,000 books
dating from the 12th Century. A private collector and his home after whom
the Casa Museu Bissaya Barreto is named, presents an impressive
collection of decorative tiles, period paintings, sculptures, and porcelain
objects, especially from the Comphania das Índias. Next door to the
Convento da Santa Clara-a-Velho is a park dedicated to the enjoyment
of smaller children. Here, all the most important buildings, monuments, and
typical homes in Portugal have been reproduced on a much smaller scale and
providing a "period toy town".
In a tradition from the distant past, the students by wearing colour ribbons
which they attach to their gowns, indicate to which faculty to whom they
belong. Every year in May when the academic year ends they ceremonially burn
these ribbons and a enthusiastic celebration takes place. This event is
called, "Queima das Fitas". The students also reflect their
optimistic attitude to life and culture by singing a lighter and happier
version of their very special traditional songs that are generally referred
to as "Fados da Coimbra".
Coimbra - Nearby Locations
To the south of Coimbrais the town of Condeixa-a-Nova with
its 17th to 19th Century palaces and manor homes. Just south of here are
the Roman ruins of Conimbriga, the largest unearthed archaeological
find of its kind in Portugal. The site was in existence in about 2.000 BC,
and in the era of the Emperor Augustus in 25 BC the settlement
really flourished. This area has many interesting aspects for visitors
including the Grutas da Lapinha. Lying to the west of Coimbra
is the once fortified town of Montemor-o-Velho. Nobody has managed
to ascertain its age with opinions differing between 4.000 and 2.400 years
old as an important stronghold over the Mondego valley. Beyond this
town and on the coast is Figueira da Foz, a popular holiday resort
town with a 16th Century fort. To the northeast is the small charming town
of Santa Comba Dão that dates back to the 10th Century. It has become
more known as the birthplace of both Alves Mateus and Oliveira
Salazar, the first being a renown preacher and the second the 20th
Century dictator of Portugal. The area is mainly residential and contains
typical examples of period homes through the ages besides having a 15th
Century church.
To the east of Coimbra are the towns of Lousã and Góis,
both of which are worth visiting to see the architectural buildings and
feel the serenity that the towns emit. This is in complete contrast to
their turbulent histories that both towns have suffered throughput history
To the north is first the town of Penacova that dates back to about
1105, and then there is the Parque do Buçaco, a monastic centre from
the 6th Century. This later acted as a residential retreat commissioned
by Dom Carlos in 1889. It was converted this century into a luxury
hotel maintaining its original furnishings and style. Close by again to the
north are the Spa towns of Luso and Curia that both provide
hotels and sports activities for their guests.
Coimbra Weather (detailed)
Detailed Figueira da Foz weather conditions
Coimbra Photos
View of Coimbra
· View of Coimbra
· View of Coimbra
· Roman Conimbriga
· Village
· Church
· View of Coimbra
· Castle
· Roman Ruins
· Buçaco Palace
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Coimbra Events |
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| Feira do Livro (Book Fair) |
April/May |
| Feira Medieval |
May |
| Festival de Queima das Fitas |
May |
| Festival de Santos Popular |
June |
| Festa da Rainha Santa Isabel |
July |
| Festa da Cidade |
1st week July |
| Town Holiday |
4th July |
| Feira das Cebolas |
August
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Costa Prata Towns
Alcobaça
· Aveiro
· Batalha
· Caldas da Rainha
· Fátima
· Leiria
· Óbidos
· Tomar
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Useful Coimbra Telephone Numbers
3000