A Walk Through The Streets Of Coimbra
As soon as you arrive in Coimbra, you will begin to breathe the aroma of books and the river. This university city and the third largest metropolis in Portugal still preserves a large part of that time when young people spent hours and hours studying by candlelight … or the moon reflected in the waters. Take an unmissable walk through this beautiful Portuguese destination called Coimbra !
Coimbra, the city crossed by the river
Mondego is the name of that mirror of water that runs through it completely. But that is not the only beautiful detail that we will find, its narrow streets, medieval arches, courtyards and hanging houses will dazzle you with their unparalleled beauty.
In the territory of Coimbra (former Portuguese capital) no less than 6 Portuguese kings and the first local dynasty were born. As if this were not enough, the first university in the country (one of the oldest in Europe) was built in this city in 1537.
Since then it has maintained its importance as a cultural and student center by attracting thousands of young people from the continent to train in various careers. Most of the historic buildings around the university were declared a World Heritage Site in 2013.
Coimbra is located 117 kilometers from Porto and 206 from Lisbon, the only two cities that surpass it in the ranking of the largest in the country.
What to see in Coimbra?
In this beautiful city there are many traditions that are still maintained, such as the festivities of students in allegorical costumes and the Queima das Fitas (Burning of the Ribbons).
Coimbra has that melancholic air that travelers like so much and is worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. The must-see attractions are:
University of Coimbra
It is located at the top of the city and is accessed by the Porta Férrea. Admission is paid, but includes a visit to the bookstore and Sala dos Capelos.
The buildings belonging to the university are dominated by “a Cabra”, a clock tower. It is highly recommended to visit the Joanina Library, with its frescoes on the ceiling and the wood and gold decoration.
Igreja de Santa Cruz
Just by looking at its facade you will be stunned. Its interior could not be less, with the walls covered by beautiful tiles. It was built as a monastery in the 12th century and later enriched with religious sculptures, as well as the tomb of King Alfonso I of Portugal. Access is free, but not the entrance to the chapter house.
Be Velha
It is the old cathedral of Coimbra and it will catch your attention because it looks like a military fortress. The constructions began in 1162 and it is the only one in the Romanesque style that still stands in all of Portugal.
It has several Gothic tombs, a cloister and walls of Sevillian tiles. Until 1772 it did not bear the name of “old.” In that year they built a new cathedral that stripped it of its exclusivity.
Botanical Garden
It is located to the south of the university and its entrance is free. It was built in the 18th century and was designed by Italian artists.
It has a forest area and several terraces with greenhouses, lakes and fountains. It houses more than a thousand plant species, many of them exotic.
Convent of Santa Clara
In this place, Queen Elizabeth was buried and it is located near Lake Portagem. Due to the floods, the convent was moved to another building, but at the end of the last century the facilities were recovered and can currently be visited. It is quite well preserved from being semi-submerged for so long.
Quinta das Tears
Do you like tragic love stories? So you cannot miss this place that today is a very luxurious hotel.
Several centuries ago two young people, Dom Pedro and Inés de Castro, had fallen madly in love. The boy’s father objected to the relationship and had the girl killed. When Dom Pedro was crowned, he executed the murderers of Ines, unearthed the corpse of the beloved and crowned her posthumous queen.
History, culture, studies and outdoor life … do you need anything else to decide to travel to Coimbra?
