Coimbra :. city ??of central Portugal
The city of Coimbra means youth, knowledge, movement and relaxation due to the University. The University of Coimbra is one of the oldest universities in Europe, attracting approximately thirty thousand students every year. University and a bit throughout the city is possible to see young people dressed in white and black academic attire giving single life throughout the city. The academic traditions and the fado of Coimbra occupy an important place in the dynamism and tourism of this town.
Coimbra is a city located in the center of Portugal, is located approximately 122 km from Porto and about 207 km from Lisbon. The individuals of Coimbra are dubbed coimbrão , conimbricense or conimbrigense . The district of Coimbra has a mild climate with temperatures ranging between 30ºC in summer and 5ºC and 14ºC in winter. The district of Coimbra borders the districts of Aveiro, Viseu the north with the district of Guarda the Northeast, with the Castelo Branco district to the east, to the south Leiria district and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
The district of Coimbra is divided into 17 municipalities, namely:
- Arganil
- Cantanhede
- Coimbra
- Condeixa-a-Nova
- Figueira da Foz
- Góis
- Lousã
- Mira
- Miranda do Corvo
- Montemor-o-Velho
- Oliveira do Hospital
- Pampilhosa da Serra
- Penacova
- Penela
- Soure
- Tábua
- Vila Nova de Poiares
The most important mountains of the district of Coimbra are Açor, Lousã, o Cabeço do Souto,, Vieiro and Urra. The most important rivers of the district of Coimbra are: Alva, Arunca, Corvo, Mondego and Seia. The Mondego river divides the city into two banks Coimbra, is the largest Portuguese river with a length of 234 km. This river rises in the Serra da Estrela at 1425 meters altitude in Mondeguinho locality in the Guard county and flows into the city of Figueira da Foz. The catchment area of ??the river Mondego has an area of ??6644 km2 and includes sites that provide unique landscapes whom the visit, including:
- Dam Aguieira and Raiva
- Livraria do Mondego em Penacova
The city of Coimbra can be divided into two main areas:
City High: this area provides a unique view of the city and the Mondego River. This hill is one university set in Portugal which includes the following areas:
- the University of Coimbra, (Universidade de Coimbra)
- the Joanina Library, (Biblioteca Joanina)
- the Chapel of St. Michael, (Capela de São Miguel)
- the Medieval and Academic Prison, (Prisão Medieval e Académica)
- the Arms Room, (Sala das Armas)
- the Hall of Capelos, (Sala dos Capelos)
- the Private Examination Room, (Sala do Exame Privado)
- the University Tower. (Torre da Universidade)
Lower Town: the Lower Town is the commercial area of the city of excellence offering a wide range of facilities to the visitors, namely: craft shops, bookstores, fado houses, bars, hotels, hostels, museums, republics and galleries of art.
Places to see in Coimbra
College of Santo Agostinho : it is a convent and was opened in 1593. It houses the Faculty of Science and Psychology, University of Coimbra
Fonte Nova : is a source located in the Garden Manga . It was built in 1137 and is known as the source of the Jews. It is a source of very ancient origins and stands out for having a rich decoration in detail, highlighted are the two fountains, the tiles and a coat. The Fonte Nova is flanked by two flights of stairs between the source and a viewpoint from where one can see a part of the city of Coimbra.
Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo : This church was inaugurated in 1597, and the main attraction of this religious monument and the cloister.
Church of Santa Cruz – Panteão Nacional : the National Pantheon was opened in the twelfth century. Among the great Portuguese figures here entombed include the first two kings of Portugal: D Afonso Henriques and his son D Sancho I
Church of Santa Justa : This church was inaugurated in the twelfth century
Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha: This monastery was opened in 1283. The monastery was later extended by decision of the Santa Isabel Queen who built the cloister and the church. Later the monastery was eventually abandoned due to constant flooding of the river Mondego. The convent stands out for grandeur and size of the cloister, the garden and the archaeological excavations that are outside
Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha : This monastery was opened in 1283. The monastery was extended by decision of the Santa Isabel Queen who built the cloister and the church. The monastery was eventually abandoned due to constant flooding from the River Mondego
Portugal dos Pequenitos : is a theme park aimed at children representing examples of the heritage of architecture and history of Portugal in smaller dimensions. Causes the feeling the younger they are older to roam through streets with buildings in small size. The Portugal dos Pequenitos was opened on June 8, 1940, is the oldest theme park in Portugal. Portugal for the Little Ones includes train visits and pedal boat by mini waterfalls that exist there, where you can see the human scale monuments all over the country, namely: the Belém Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, the University of Coimbra and Traditional houses of each region
The park is divided in the following themes:
- Portugal Monumental,
- Regional houses
- Countries of Portuguese Official Language,
- Museums Costume, Navy and Real Estate.
New Cathedral: the works of the New Cathedral of Coimbra began in 1598 and ended in the year 1698. The attraction of the New Cathedral of Coimbra is the facade that is imposed on all the square where is located, the cloister and the richly decorated altar in gilt.
Old Cathedral: the Cathedral or "Old Cathedral" of Coimbra was inaugurated in 1184. The Old Cathedral of Coimbra stands out: the Specious Door, the altarpiece of the main chapel, the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament that has the particularity of on sunny days you can see the rays to enter the Cathedral and light it
Coimbra University: the University of Coimbra is the landmark of the city. This university town is situated in the upper part of the city. This complex is centered around the Patio of Schools, where you can see during most days of the year the bustle of the hectic lives of thousands of young people dressed in academic garb .. Founded in 1290, the University of Coimbra is part of a vast complex :
- Library Joanina : it was built in 1717 and includes more than 60,000 volumes
- Chapel of São Miguel : This chapel was inaugurated in 1517. Its main highlight a Baroque organ built in 1733.
- Medieval prison and Académica: it is the only medieval prison that exists in Portugal.
- Room of Arms: where are held some academic ceremonies.
- Hall of Capelos: a room of Capelos is the place where they perform the most important ceremonies of the University, namely: the solemn Doctorates, the Investiture of the Rector and the Solemn Opening of classes.
- Private room examination: was the place where it was in intended private examination before proceeding to doctoral until the nineteenth century. In this room are the portraits of the rectors of the University of Coimbra between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries.
- University Tower: This tower was constructed in order to mark the beginning and end of the studies through their chimes. Inaugurated in 1733, the Tower offers a unique view of the entire city. It is available from the University of Coimbra three tourist routes for a fee
Memorial of Sister Lucia: memorial dedicated to Sister Lucia, one of the three children, according to believers, saw the miracle of Our Lady of Fatima in 1917. The memorial is located next to the Carmel of Santa Teresa. Recreates the life of Sister Lucia from the time of the Fatima apparitions until his death on February 13, 2005
Water Museum: a museum located in Parque Dr. Manuel de Braga. Is housed in an old water capture station that deserves a visit due to old tunnels and the mãe de água which houses
Science Museum: Museum of Science, University of Coimbra aims to disseminate science to all kinds of visitors. In this museum you can experience scientific sensations like traveling back in time, visit a physics laboratory of the eighteenth century. The Science Museum is part of the Museums of Physics, Zoology, Mineralogy and Botanical
National Museum of Machado de Castro : This museum is one of the landmarks of the city of Coimbra. The museum includes thousands of pieces of sculpture, painting, ceramics, jewelery and textiles with more than two thousand years of history and 120 pieces belonging to the National Treasury of Portugal
Core Guitar and Fado from Coimbra: Located in Torre Anto , aims to publicize a unique type of music in the world: the fado of Coimbra. The collection of Guitar Center and Coimbra Fado includes two guitars of the great Portuguese artist Carlos Paredes .
The core collections are organized as follows:
- on the first floor there is a miniauditório,
- the second floor is an exhibition about the fado of Coimbra from its beginnings to the twentieth century,
- the third floor is exposed to golden decade of this genre from the 1920s and 1950s
- on the fourth floor includes a collection related to the Portuguese intervention music and data on the current of Coimbra fado
Natural Reserve of Paul de Arzila : reserve located on the left bank of the river Mondego. This natural park is characterized by having a very varied flora, including the lily yellow, yerba pinheirinha, poplars, willows, eucalyptus and pine forest coimbrense This is a privileged area for the observation of migratory birds that come here to nest
Botanical Garden: The garden was opened in 1773. It integrates the School of Natural Philosophy inside. This garden was created by the Marquis of Pombal Reform of the University of Coimbra with the objective of integrating the world vegetation to be further investigated. The Botanical Garden stands out for its intense and luxuriant nature, the number of different sources of an unusual architectural beauty, the existence of a labyrinthine garden, because you can see running an old hydraulic system, the various greenhouses and be a local only for outdoor activities practice
Garden Casa do Sal : is a leisure area opened on July 4, 1996, is located in the north of the city of Coimbra. This garden is suitable for children perform outdoor activities due to the presence of an extensive and safe playground. It is also an attraction for lovers of bird watching
Garden Sá da Bandeira : is a garden located on Avenida Sá da Bandeira, was opened in 1889. It's nice to enjoy walks through the garden along the Sá da Bandeira Avenue
Gardens of Quinta das Lágrimas : this farm owes its name to the romance of the Portuguese king D Pedro and D Inês de Castro, resulting in his death D Inês who have been murdered in this place. Thursday's highlight the Fountain of Tears, where the letters written by D. Pedro directed to D Ines would be delivered. This park has old trees, medieval ruins and neo-Gothic
Lapa dos Spars: also known as Quinta das Canas , is located on the left bank of the river Mondego at the exit south of Coimbra. Quinta das Canas is to highlight the viewpoint that overlooks Coimbra and the Mondego river, a forest with vegetation originating from all over the planet, marble slabs carved into the allusive rock the city of artists and a fountain surrounded statues that have a purposive common feature: they are placed with his back to the city.
National Forest Vale de Canas : forest that was inaugurated in the sixteenth century integrates a varied fauna and flora. This forest has the largest eucalyptus in Europe with about 75 meters high. In this place you can stroll, picnic, perform outdoor sports activities including running and mountain biking towards the Mondego river.
Choupal National Forest: here you can perform outdoor sports activities or just relax and stroll. The Choupal National Forest includes species such as cottonwood, sycamore, walnut and black cedar swamps
Park Linear do Vale das Flores : is a convivial place which opened in December 2001. The park includes a pedestrian circuit and a playground. It is one of the places in Coimbra suitable for the practice of sports activities
Manuel Braga Park: also called City Park was designed in the 1920s The park includes a gazebo and several sculptures
Park Santa Cruz : the city known as the "Garden Sereia " is part of the structure of the Monastery of Santa Cruz . This park is part of the Terreiro do " jogo da Pela ", a waterfall and the Fountain Nogueira with a newt, but Triton is commonly mistaken for a mermaid by the people of Coimbra
Mondego Green Park: located on both banks of the river Mondego was opened in July 2004. This site includes vast green spaces, restaurants, a playground and exhibition centers. Connecting the two banks of the river Mondego is Footbridge Pedro and Inês inaugurated in 2006
Penedo da Saudade : where according to legend, is where the king Don Pedro would mourn the death of D Ines. This includes a rock garden and busts of figures of Portuguese culture, including António Nobre and Eca de Queiroz
Astronomical Observatory: Observatory of the University of Coimbra that was created during the Pombaline Reform of this University. In 1951 he received new facilities in Alto de Santa Clara. This Observatory is studied Astronomy and Astrophysics part of European programs of the European Space Agency. The Centre includes a museum that presents a wide collection of observation instruments and astronomical and terrestrial measurements, a collection of maps and star charts of the seventeenth and nineteenth
Places to visit near Coimbra
Conimbriga: located 16 kms from Coimbra is the largest Roman city of Portugal. This Roman settlement include the Museu de Conimbriga
Figueira da Foz is a town located about 40 km from Coimbra. This town is known for its extensive beaches and a unique cosmopolitanism in the region. The ex-libris of Figueira da Foz is the Casino which opened in the late nineteenth century. The highlight of heritage in Figueira da Foz includes the Municipal Museum Dr. Santos Rocha , the Church of São Julião , the Museum Centre of the Sea and the Fort of Santa Catarina .
Gois: is a Portuguese village in the district of Coimbra. It is the county seat with 4 parishes. In this county there to highlight the Church of Gois, the Church of Mercy, the Ecomuseum de Gois, the River Beach Peneda and the Fluvial Beach of Canaveias
Montemor-o-Velho is a village located in a strategic area of ??the district of Coimbra. Montemor-o-Velho has heritage, fauna and very rich flora, including: the Castle, the Natural Reserve of Paúl de Arzila . This county has unique gastronomic specialties, namely rice lamprey, fried shad, the pasties Tentúgal or papos de anjo
Pampilhosa da Serra : this location in Coimbra boasts fantastic views and an impressive waterfall of 327 meters. This town has a heritage that is worth knowing, namely: the Mother Church, the Chapel of Mercy, the Chapel of Santo António , the Chapel of São Sebastião , the Chapel of São Jerónimo , the Municipal Museum and the Belvedere Cristo Rei of Pampilhosa da Serra . In this region there are two river beaches: the river beach of Dornelas do Zêzere and the river beach of Janeiro de Baixo.
Penacova: is a village on the right bank of the Mondego river and surrounded by the mountains of Buçaco and Roxo with a lush and unique landscape. In Penacova worth visiting the Mother Church, the Chapel of Senhora do Monte Alto , the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Guia , Quinta da Ribeira , the Belvedere Raul Lino, the Monastery of Lorvão, the Dam Aguieira , the mill Gavinhos
Festivals and Fairs of Coimbra
- Festivities of the City of Coimbra and Queen Santa Isabel : is held annually in July and honors its patron saint, Santa Isabel . This party has two processions, a nightclub and other daytime
- Medieval Fair of Coimbra: is held annually in July at Largo da Sé Velha
- Fair Lazarus: held on the Sunday of São Lázaro in order to recreate an ancient tradition of Coimbra, make up arrufadas (a traditional cake) and children sell candy
- Fair Food and Handicrafts is held annually in July
- Feast of cans of Students of the University of Coimbra: is held annually in October. It is the party receiving the new students of the University. For a week are held concerts, cultural and sporting activities and ends with an academic procession through the city streets
- Q ueima das Fitas of Students of the University of Coimbra: is held annually in May and is the largest student party in all of Europe. This feast is made for eight days, as many as the colleges that make up the University of Coimbra. The week Queima das Fitas begins with Serenata Monumental in the Old Cathedral of stairs, the Gala of the Faculties, the Garraiada the Venda da Pasta , the Queima do Grelo and the procession of the Quartanistas -
The gastronomy of Coimbra
The gastronomy of Coimbra is rich and varied. The typical dishes of this region are unique specialties in the world:
- Lamprey Rice
- Stylish Coimbra sweet rice
- chanfana
- Pig Roast Bairrada
- Wedding soup
The craft Coimbra
The craftsmanship of the Coimbra region includes traditions like the quilts of rags, embroidery, metalwork, black pottery, ceramic pieces, baskets, wicker to canastraria the seiras and doormats.
The economy of Coimbra
The economy of the district of Coimbra is the most dynamic economies and innovative Portugal. It is in Coimbra which is situated the Instituto Pedro Nunes, considered the best technology incubator the world, a distinction received the prize Best Science Incubator. The vast majority of companies focuses on the sectors of services, trade and real estate. In the manufacturing sector there is the bakery industry, the timber industry, the cork industry, the industry non-metallic minerals and metallurgical industry.
Most of these industries are located in two industrial parks that exist in this city:
- Eiras Industrial Park
- Taveiro Industrial Park
Coimbra is an important center of tourist attraction, lying in the region 3.3% of hotel establishments and 2.1% of the beds available in the country. In Coimbra agriculture continues to play an important role in the city's economy. Rice, corn, vegetables, fruit and wine stand out among the agricultural production.
Quick facts about the city of Coimbra
- Population: approximately 103,000 inhabitants
- Area: 319.4 km2
- Year of the municipality of Foundation: 1111
- District: Coimbra
- Ancient Area: Beira Litoral
- Patron Saint: Santa Isabel of Portugal
- Municipal holiday: July 4
- Number of companies: 47000
- Produced wealth: € 7,000 billion (3% of GDP)
- Exports: € 829 million