Profile of Coimbra
Coimbra, Portugal's beautiful colonial university town, is located on a hill just above the river Mondego.
It is one of Portugal's major historic capitals and is a wonderful mix of centuries of culture. Coimbra's
historic center is full of ancient alleyways and the city's claim to fame is that it houses Portugal's
oldest university, founded in 1290. The gracious town also boasts extensive amount of Roman architecture.
Coimbra used to be Portugal's capital city from 1143-1255. Considering its fairly small size, it has a lot
to offer the culture vulture visitor in terms of history, art and architecture. There is an air of
importance and aristocracy running throughout the city and its people. Coimbra is known as "the city of
students" and city life has always been centered around the University of Velha. Shops, galleries, and
cafes line Coimbra's streets, including an assortment of bars and wine taverns catering to the student
population of the city.
The city is technically divided into two areas. The 'baixa,' lower part of town houses the cities
commercial zones. The 'alta,' upper part of Coimbra is much older and must be entered through a break in
the city wall, named the Arco de Almedina. This archway was created during Arab occupation and is aptly
named 'medina' which means "city" in Arabic. The lower part of town, is home to student residences, as well
as, important cathedrals, the university, and the Casa de Sub-Ripas (a mansion with a beautiful Manueline
style doorway).
Gastronomy and Wine
Coimbra is known for its love of pork. Some of its most regional dishes include 'leitao'
(roast suckling pig), 'feijoada' (a bean stew including chourizo, sausage and paprika), and pork knuckle.
The city and the surrounding region is one of the most gastronomically diverse in Portugal. As in other
parts of Portugal, delicacies include eel stew and shellfish. Specifically in Coimbra the 'Chanfana', is
popular throughout the university town. This is a casserole of kid or lamb mean stewed in red wine. The
local cakes, called Santa Claras are also a local delicacy.
Coimbra is centered between the famous Dao and Bairrada wine regions in Portugal. The Dao region is known
for its steep slopes and ideal grape growing climate. Its local grape varieties make very characteristic
wines. Only in the last decade have the white varieties been revived and reds have begun to realize their
potential. This new region is home to an innovative new winery called Quinta dos Carvalhais. This winery
is computer controlled and located in the center of the region. The Barriada region had been the home to
Portugal's best red table wines before the Douro and Alentejo. Its modern "international" wine styles are
characterized by fruity flavors with interestingly high tannin levels.
Highlights
Velha Universidade
Literally means "the old university", the Velha Universidade was first
established in 1290. The main building that remains today, dates back to the 16th century when Joao III
declared its permanent residence in Combria. The buildings are set around the Patio des Escolas, a
courtyard dominated by the Baroque clock tower nicknamed "A Cabra" (goat) and a statue of Joao III. The
elaborate stairway to the right leads into the administrative quarters and the sala dos Capelos. The hall
itself is hung with portraits of Portugal's Kings. Is used for conferring degrees and has a fine wood
paneled ceiling with gilded decoration in Manueline style. The highlight is the narrow catwalk around
the outside walls. The central door off the courtyard leads past the cupola, a very elaborate religious
foundation. The famous library, a baroque fantasy presented to the faculty by Joao V in the early 18th
century. Its rooms telescope into each other.
Santa Clara Convent
The body of Ines de Castro, King Pedro's lover, was placed on the throne
for homage by the people after she died in the form of a decomposing body. In this convent lies the tomb of
Ines, along side the convent's founder and Coimbra's Patron Saint-Queen Isabel. Isabel's tomb is made of
solid silver and a covered walk of honeysuckle, financed by King Joao is still kept up today. There is
also a small military museum showcasing the rich military past.
Se Velha
The Se Velha is an old Cathedral that is about halfway up the hill into the old
town. It opened in 1162 and it is one of the most important Romanesque buildings in Portugal. It is only
slightly altered since its construction. The significant later addition of the Rennaissance
"Porta Especiosa" doorway in the north wall has almost entirely crumbled away. Solid and square on the
outside, the cathedral is also elegantly simple within, the decoration confined to a few giant conch shells
holding holy water and some unobtrusive azulejos tiles from Seville around the walls. The Gothic tombs of
the early bishops and low-arched cloisters can be found here.
Conimbriga
The ancient city of Conimbriga is located 16 km southwest of Coimbra. It
houses the most important Roman site in Portugal. It was a Celto-Iberian settlement, dating back to the
Iron Age and later was the site of Roman settlements, when Portugal was part of the Roman Empire.
Conimbriga used to be a major transit point on the road to Lisbon. It has survived better than the
other Roman sites, mostly because its citizens abandoned Conimbriga for Coimbra and never resettled.
A wall was quickly put up through the heart of this city separating it into two. The remains of the
abandoned houses and public sites are restored to working order with fountains in the squares and mosaic
tiles lining the floors of the old homes. An aqueduct, forum, temple, and even public baths can be found in
this ancient Roman site.
Montemor-o-Velho Castle
Approximately 32 Km west of Coimbra lies the magnificent castle of Montemor-o-Velho. From the Romans to the
Moors, and later in the hands of Dom Alfonso IV, Montemor-o-Velho became a royal residence and the site of
the fated Ines Castro. Also in this castle, Joao of Avis became King Dom Joao I. The main attraction inside
the castle is the church of Santa Maria de Alcavova. It has a beautiful wood ceiling, with twisted columns
and Moorish decorations.
More Information:
If you would like Cellar Tours to customize a Wine Tour in Portugal or Luxury Day Excursion in Portugal, for individuals or groups, contact us on: info@cellartours.com
By Jennifer Drapisch
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