Coimbra, Central Portugal

Useful Information

Coimbra, which straddles the Rio Mondego, in Central Portugal is a cosmopolitan city and has been for many centuries.

The narrow cobbled streets of it's historic centre, which cling precariously to the western hillside above the Mondego, back onto broad tree-lined boulevards are evidence of the city's popularity and wealth over the years.

Coimbra was Portugal's capital for a brief period (1143-1255), which attracted great wealth and

investment, the remnants of which are clearly evident in the architecture of the city. Following it's stint as Portugal's capital, Coimbra continued to strive due the economic value the Rio Mondego provided with easy transit of supplies to and from the coast.

The city of Coimbra however is probably most famous for it's historic University, the first to be founded in Portugal. Coimbra University was founded in 1290 and was permanently established as a school of learning in 1537. Even today the University is highly prestigious and provides a home to the greatest of Coimbra's monuments and buildings most notably the renowned Baroque library.

The city also boasts two cathedrals - Se Velha, Portugal's supreme example of the Romanesque style, and Se Nova, a Jesuit church featuring an opulent altar, dozens of churches and lots of ancient mansions.

Coimbra attracts thousands of visitors keen to soak up the atmosphere and eclectic charm of it's varied architecture. However the city has a vibrant, modern feel with a variety of bars and restaurants and retail outlet stores within the many shopping parks surrounding the city.

A favourite attraction many children will enjoy visiting is the Portugal dos Pequeninos ("Portugal for the Little Ones"), a park with child-sized models of typical Portuguese houses, mansions, temples and palaces.

Just south of Coimbra are the Roman ruins of Conimbriga, the largest unearthed archaeological find of its kind in Portugal. The site was in existence in about 2.000BC, but it was in the era of the Emperor Augustus in 25BC that the settlement really flourished.