A city of narrow streets, courtyards, stairs and medieval arches, Coimbra was the birthplace of six kings from Portugal and the First Dynasty, as well as the first University of the Country and one of the oldest in Europe. In the 12th century, Coimbra already had an urban structure, divided between the upper city, called Alta or Almedina, where aristocrats, clerics and, later, students lived, and Baixa, of commerce, artisans and neighborhoods riverside. Since the middle of the 16th century, the city's history has revolved around the history of the University of Coimbra, and it was only in the 19th century that the city began to expand beyond its walled hull, which even disappeared with the reforms carried out by the Marquis of Pombal at the end of the 18th century. These reforms will have a major impact, especially in the upper part of the city, where structures such as the Botanical Garden and some colleges of the University are created.
University is located on the highest hill in the city, overlooking the Mondego. Founded by King D. Dinis in collaboration with the prior of Santa Cruz, the abbot of Alcobaça and other ecclesiastics, it first established itself in Lisbon under the ...
A city of narrow streets, courtyards, stairs and medieval arches, Coimbra was the birthplace of six kings from Portugal and the First Dynasty, as well as the first University of the Country and one of the oldest in Europe. In the 12th century, Coi...
Built between the years 1717 and 1728, it is one of the exponents of Portuguese Baroque and one of the richest European libraries. It will become known as the Joanine Library in honor and memory of King D. João V (1707-1750), who sponsored its con...
Built between the years 1717 and 1728, it is one of the exponents of Portuguese Baroque and one of the richest European libraries. It will become known as the Joanine Library in honor and memory of King D. João V (1707-1750), who sponsored its con...
Another notable facility is the Private Examination Room, remodeled in 1701 by the University's master-builder, José Cardoso. Its main reason for interest lies in the decoration that consists of a tile panel made by the potter and painter from São...
Via Latina it is called the elegant colonnade erected on the roof of the 16th century palace, at the time of the rectorate of D. Francisco de Lemos, at the end of the 18th century. In the middle, a body of apparatus stands out from the general lin...
Chapel of S. Miguel, Romanesque architecture. It was the place chosen to bury Chancellor Julião Pais and his family. The cloister is a transition from Romanesque to Gothic. Built during the reign of D. Afonso II (1218-1223) it was however programm...
Chapel of S. Nicolau. Tomb ark of Bishop D. Afonso de Castelo Branco, great patron of Coimbrian art and culture in the 17th century. Tomb of D.Sizenando, first governor of Coimbra after the Christian Reconquest on 9 July 1064. Sizenando was a grea...
Single nave of great height and flat vaults supported by corbels. The Monastery of Santa Cruz de Coimbra was founded in 1131 by Arcediago D. Telo, with the protection of D. Afonso Henriques, The Monastery of Santa Cruz follows the rule of the Cano...
Rectangular space built (1507-1518) by master Jacques Boytac during the Manueline campaign on the primitive Romanesque, polygonal and smaller chapel. The cross-ribbed vault has the central closing stones with the emblem of King Manuel (Royal shiel...
The Chapel of S. Miguel is located to the left of the Tower and replaced a small medieval oratory in the palace, probably from the 19th century. XII. The construction works of the building that we see today began in 1517, having ended this phase i...
It was the Paço das Escolas that brought together, in 1544, all the faculties of the University of Coimbra, after the definitive installation of the University in this city, in 1537, putting an end to an itinerancy in the 14th century between Lisb...
The building that exists today was the result of works directed by Marcos Pires and completed by Diogo de Castilho. It underwent minor remodeling in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Royal chapel dedicated to S. Miguel was also the headquarters of ...
The university campus, Polo I, where the rectory and administrative services are located, sharing the historic building of the University with the Faculty of Law. Also at Alta Universitária, there are the Faculties of Letters and Psychology, as we...
From the Archers' Room you have access to an extensive corridor that has balconies that lead to the Sala Grande dos Actos, better known as “Sala dos Capelos”. It is here that the most important acts of academic life still take place, such as the i...
