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.
The Cathedral of Coimbra maintains the romanesque structure divided into three naves, five sections and transept. The central nave with a barrel vault, and the side aisles on two floors, the upper floor of which is a gallery of twinned arcades, co...
Green recreational space. Park where the Baroque style is very evident in the axes and stairs, as well as in the sculptural elements. The Parque de Santa Cruz, is for its lush vegetation and abundance of waters, a pleasant refuge from the hustle a...
The new Cathedral has been installed since 1772 in the old church of the Jesuit College, behind the Faculty of Medicine. Originally, the Colégio dos Jesuítas (Colégio das Onze Mil Virgens), which had been installed in Coimbra in 1541. The church b...
The Cloister of the Old Cathedral is a construction of transition from Romanesque to Gothic. Built during the reign of D. Afonso II (1218-1223) it was however programmed since 1176. It would be D. Afonso II who would give a greater incentive to th...
Green recreational space. Romantic garden. We highlight the rarity and size of some botanical specimens. Strong historical and scenic value, testimony to the taste for botanical collecting that occurred in Portugal from the beginning of the 19th c...
Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament by João de Ruão, dated 1566. In this chapel, Jesus Christ the Redeemer is represented at the center flanked by 10 apostles. Below the 4 evangelists on the right and on the opposite side the Virgin Mary with the Chil...
Main chapel and Gothic altarpiece built between the end of the 15th century and the beginning of the 20th century. XVI. by the Flanders masters Olivier de Ghent and Jean d´Ypres. Its central motive is the "Assumption of the Virgin Mary". The patro...
Chapel of S. Pedro. Renaissance altarpiece by Nicolau de Chanterene where there is also an image of S. Paulo. At the bottom of the altarpiece, in the center, we highlight the representation of S. Pedro to be crucified upside down. Below the grave ...
Santa Clara Altar (late 16th century) and sculpture by S. Cristobal with the Child Jesus on his shoulder. Tomb of D. Pedro Martins (14th century)
Tomb of the Byzantine princess Vataça Lascaris, queen of Queen Santa Isabel. Tomb ark with three double-headed eagles by Mestre Pero (14th century)
Mudéjar tiles. Acquired in Seville, Spain at the beginning of the 16th century by Olivier de Gand under the patronage of D. Jorge de Almeida.
Chapel of Santa Maria (13th-14th century chapter hall). It was here that the Misericórdia of Coimbra worked. Cruise in polychrome stone of the century. XIV. The cloister is a construction of transition from Romanesque to Gothic. Built during the r...
Construction of transition from Romanesque to Gothic. Built during the reign of D. Afonso II (1218-1223) it was however programmed since 1176. It would be D. Afonso II who would give a greater incentive to the construction of the Cloister because ...
Construction of transition from Romanesque to Gothic. Built during the reign of D. Afonso II (1218-1223) it was however programmed since 1176. It would be D. Afonso II who would give a greater incentive to the construction of the Cloister because ...
Interior of the Porta Especiosa c.1530 by the Norman sculptor (Jean de Rouen) João de Ruão and Nicolau de Chanterene. Inspired by Italian Renaissance models. It is an innovative architecture for Portugal, a monumental facade pioneered by the Portu...
