Coimbra is the capital of Portugal from the 12th to the 13th centuries with the oldest university in the country, a baroque library and many churches and monuments, including the former Archbishop's Palace. In May, when the academic year ends, the whole city celebrates Kema- Dash-Fitash - graduates burn their robes, go to night concerts and hold parades.

How to get

The nearest airports to Coimbra are in Porto and Lisbon, and most tourists come to the city from there. You can get to Coimbra by train, bus or car. Trains from Porto (hour on the road) and Lisbon (2 hours) go every day.

If you use a bus, then from Lisbon to Coimbra two hours drive. The bus is cheaper than a train.

On auto

If you rent a car, take the A1 motorway. From this highway there are several convenient exits to the city center and to the outskirts. The journey takes approximately the same amount of time as by bus or train.

Due to the complex layout of the city and the lack of free parking in the center, it is recommended to leave the car on the outskirts, where the parking situation is better, and go for a walk on foot. All the sights in the center are within walking distance from each other.

Shopping and souvenirs from Coimbra

As already mentioned above, Coimbra is appreciated by tourists as a place for fine shopping. Both in the Lower and Upper Town there are many independent bookshops, boutiques, antique salons and art galleries, where you can buy inexpensive quality items. As for the must buy souvenirs, these are ceramics, traditional for Portugal, cork products, various wines, Beirao liqueur and so on. "Fire water" Agua-Ardente, which is made either from grapes or from a mixture of fruits.

Climate

March 1, Sunday Overcast, light rain +14 ° С in the afternoon +11 ° С at night ° С water	March 2, Monday Overcast, light rain +16 ° С in the afternoon +12 ° С at night ° С water	March 3, Tuesday Partly cloudy, light rain +16 ° С in the afternoon +12 ° С at night ° С water
Coimbra weather forecast for 10 days

Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Coimbra

Like many cities with a rich past, Coimbra is divided into two large areas: Old, or Upper, the city - is the oldest part of the city, surrounded by a medieval wall, and the Lower City - it is larger in size and is located outside the old walls.

It is possible to get from the Lower city to the Upper through the ancient gate of the Arch de Almedin or Torre de Antu. Passing through them, you find yourself on narrow cobblestone streets, where old buildings coexist with the student hostels of the University.

University

The University is the main attraction of Coimbra. It is located in the highest point of the Upper City, one might say, towering above it. Once upon a time, students were forbidden to leave the Upper Town. The very building of the University is built in the Baroque style, and on its chapel there is an ancient bell, which the students among themselves call the "Goat". Earlier, the bell rang announcing the beginning and the end of classes, now it's just a reminder of the glorious past of the educational institution.

In addition to the Royal Palace, the university complex includes such facilities as the colonnade of Via Latina, the assembly hall of Sala dos Capelos, the elegant University Chapel, the tower clock with a bell.

Old Library

And next to the University is the Old Library, founded already by King Juan V. The portal of the library is decorated with two columns, and the inner rooms give the impression that they are richly decorated with ornaments and paintings, decorated in gold, blue and red tones, and tables in the reading rooms are made of valuable tree species and are generously encrusted.

Cathedral of Coimbra

Near the University there are two masterpieces of the temple architecture of Coimbra - the Cathedral of Se-Velha and the Cathedral of Se-Nova .Se-Velha was built in the 11th century in honor of the victory of Christians over the Moors and became a real religious symbol of the city: the Portuguese kings were crowned here, the first governor of the city, Sisinandu, was buried on its territory..The cathedral is made in Romanesque style and, in the opinion of a modern tourist, looks more like a fortress than a temple .At the same time, the interior decoration is influenced by the Moorish culture, and the most outstanding part of it is the altar with the Roman capitals, called "Ascension of the Virgin Mary" .

The cathedral of Se-Nova is much smaller than the years, but it too played an important role in the spiritual life of Coimbra. It was erected in 1598 by the Jesuits and executed in the Baroque style. After the abolition of the Jesuit order in 1759, the Cathedral of Se-Nova became part of the bishop's residence.

No less interesting is the church of Santa Cruz. It was built by order of the first Portuguese King Alfonso Henriques I as the center of the Augustinian monastery. After the death of the king, his remains were buried here, just like the ashes of his son Sansha. Before the University, the church occupied a significant part of the city and was its first cultural center. Having lost its original meaning, the Santa Circle came to desolation. However, in 1502, by order of King Manuel I, the church was restored.

Other sights

Among other interesting attractions of Coimbra are the Mashad de Castro museum in the episcopal palace, the beautiful Ponte de Santa Clara bridge, the park with the "fountain of Love", the small museum park "Portugal in miniature", "The House of Tears" and the Roman aqueduct. Photo of Coimbra (16)