LocationCoimbra is in the centreof Portugal. About 2hours from Lisbon and 1hour from Porto, the cityis at the meeting point ofmajor thoroughfares.A good transport net-work gives easy accessto airports and to theports of Aveiro andFigueira da Foz. Coim-bra is near to both thesea and the mountains,and only about 3 hoursfrom Salamanca and 2hours from Vigo.

HOW TO GET THEREBy air:The nearest airports are:- Francisco Sá Carneiro(Porto - 110 Km).- Portela (Lisbon – 210Km).By train:Trains run by CP (Portu-guese Railways - Cami-nhos de Ferro Portugue-ses) to and from majorPortuguese cities, suchas Lisbon and Porto, andsome international trainsfrom the Spanish border

at Vilar Formoso/Irun,arrive regularly at Coim-bra. There are 2 stations:Coimbra B, on the mainline, and Coimbra A, on ashort branch line in the citycentre.By bus:Regular bus servicesconnect Coimbra tomany cities and otherplaces in Portugal. Themain operator is RedeExpressos.By car:From the south (Lisbon)or the north (Porto) takethe A1 motorway.The A14 links Coimbra tothe coast (Figueira daFoz), where new motor-ways, near the coast, runto Lisbon and Porto – theA17 and A 8 going south,and the A17 and A29going north. The IP3connects to the interior(Viseu) and by the A25,to the Spanish border.

GETTING AROUNDOn foot:The main points ofinterest in the historic city

centre can be visited onfoot, starting at CoimbraA station, the main carparks and the morecentral hotels. Many ofthe streets linking theupper and lower parts oftown (the Alta and theBaixa) are quite steep,so some visitors mayhave problems with anuphill walk.The riverside parks arealso pleasant places forwalking.Many shopping streets inthe centre are traffic-free.By Bicycle:The city’s hills may makecycling difficult in places,but in the riverside parksthere are flat areas foreasy pedalling.At weekends the citycouncil rents out bicyclesfor free in the ParqueVerde do Mondego[Mondego Green Park].By Boat:The Basófias runs tripson the Mondego River.Canoes and pedalos canalso be hired.- BASÓFIAS: Boat tripson the Mondego River.The trip on board theBasófias lasts about 1hour, and consists of ashort river cruise passingthe following points ofinterest: Santa ClaraBridge, Açude Bridge,Praça da Canção (Con-cert Park), Lapa dos

Esteios, Rainha SantaIsabel Bridge, Quintadas Varandas, BentosIsland.Place of Embarkation:Dock at Dr ManuelBraga Park. Daily, May 1to September 31: 3, 4, 5,6 & 7 p.m. October 1 toApril 30: 3, 4 & 5 p.m.Information: http://www.basofias.com.By car:Traffic in Coimbra canflow relatively smoothly,but parking in the centreis scarce and often ex-pensive.In the University areaparking is practicallyimpossible.For short stays, it’sadvisable to use one ofthe many undergroundcar parks in the citycentre. For a longer stay,use one of the freeriverside car-parks, suchas the one on the SantaClara side of the river.

By Taxi:Coimbra’s taxis areavailable by telephone orfrom taxi ranks. There isa fixed initial charge, plusa fee depending on thelength of the journey,shown on the taximeter.There are several taxiranks throughout the city.Taxi Central: 239 499090City TransportCoimbra has a goodurban transport network,with daily tickets fortourists. There is also theFuntastic, a panoramicbus which visits the city’smain points of interest.The city network transportsystem (SMTUC) coversthe whole city.Information is availableat the stops and at http://www.smtuc.pt.- FUN(TASTIC) COIM-BRA: Panoramic Sight-seeing ToursA panoramic trip in anopen-top double-deckerbus, passing the mostinteresting spots in thecity, including viewpointsand historic places.Lasting 1 hour, withrecorded information in

Portuguese, English,German, French, Italianand Spanish.Tickets arevalid for the whole day,so passengers can geton and off at variouspoints.Tickets are also valid forthe same day on localSMTUC buses.Seasonal, running mainlyaround Easter and in theSummer; organised andmanaged jointly bySMTUC and CarrisTur.- “PANTUFINHAS”(Blue Line)An electric bus that runsthrough the historic citycentre, connecting theAlta and the Baixa(upper & lower areas)and passing through themedieval heart of thecity. Passengers cansignal to get on and offwhere they want. Any

type of city transport(SMTUC) ticket or passis valid on this bus. Asinformation may changein the course of the year,current data may beobtained from this site:www.smtuc.ptWeekdays: 8.45 a.m.–1p.m./2.45–7 p.m.Saturday: 9.15 a.m.–1.15 p.m.

OPENING HOURSShops are open onweekdays from 9 a.m. to1 p.m and from 3 p.m.to 7 p.m.; some shopsare also open at lunch-time and Saturdaymorning.In shopping centreshours are longer - from10 a.m. to 11 p.m/midnight.For public services,times are Monday to

Friday, 9 a.m. to 12.30p.m. and 2 to 5.30 p.m.Banks are open from8.30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

TOURISM SERVICESTC – Turismo de Coim-bra, E.M.Casa Aninhas, 3.ºPraça 8 de Maio3000-300 CoimbraTel. 239 857 583Fax 239 828 605http://www.turismodecoimbra.pt

Tourist offices- General Library of theUniversity of CoimbraNovember 1 to March 27:Monday to Friday, 9a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday,Sunday & public holi-days, 10 a.m. –4 p.m.March 28 to October 31:daily, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.-[jointly with the TouristBoard of CentralPortugal]- Largo da PortagemApril 13 to June 14 andfrom mid-September:Monday to Friday, 9a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday,Sunday & publicholidays, 9.30 a.m.–1p.m./2.30 to 6 p.m.Ge

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Founded in 1913 by the teacherof drawing António AugustoGonçalves (1848-1932), theMachado de Castro NationalMuseum recently went throughextensive work of remodellingand expansion (due to beconcluded by the end of 2010).The building includes a 2000year-old Roman Cryptoporticus,which was part of the Forum ofthe city of Aeminium andconsists of two vaulted galleries,one above the other. Thefindings made during the

Machado de Castro National Museum[Largo Dr. José Rodrigues]

remodell ing havehelped to interpret thestructures and torestore theirmonumental westernfaçade. The Forumwas laid out in relationto a basilica with anaxial apse to theNorth, which may

have functioned as a place ofworship.This basilica and its annexes mighthave been the main site where themost important public events tookplace.Although the purposes of the areasto the South are unknown, betweenthe two groups of buildings therewas a public square surrounded bya row of colonnades.As to the main building that todayhouses the Museum, it served asthe Episcopal Residence from the12th century to 1910.

It has a Mannerist Main Portaland a Renaissance two-flooredveranda.The Machado de Castro NationalMuseum is an ancient and sacredart museum, since most of itspieces came from the Church orfrom institutions connected withit. It has collections of Archae-ology, Sculpture, Goldsmithery,Jewellery, Painting, Drawing,Ceramics, Textiles and Furniture,as well as collections of OrientalArt, Early Books, Metals, Glass-ware, Modern and ContemporaryArt, Heraldry and a diversenumber of other pieces.Tuesday to Sunday. ClosedMonday and January 1, EasterSunday, May 1 and December25. October to March: 10 a.m.–12.30 p.m.; 2–6 p.m. April toSeptember: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Buslines: 1A, 34, 60, 103 & MarketElevator.

It is the “jewel in the crown” ofthe University of Coimbra, andrecognized as one of the mostoriginal and spectacular Baro-que libraries in Europe. It wasbuilt between 1717 and 1728under the auspices of King JoãoV, know as the Magnanimousdue to his extensive patronageof the arts. João CarvalhoFerreira and Gaspar Ferreirawere the master builders, thepainters António Simões Ribeiroand Vicente Nunes decoratedthe ceilings and the painter and

Biblioteca Joanina (Joanine Library)[Páteo da Universidade/Largo da Porta Férrea]

interior decoratorManuel da Silvaornamented thechinoiserie book-cases. Many otherartists and crafts-men, includingbronzers, tinsmithsand glassmakers,were involved in

the interior, such as Claude deLaprade, António Simões Ribei-ro, Vicente Nunes, DomenicoDuprà, Manuel da Silva and FreiCipriano da Cruz.The outstanding work of theItalian artist Francesco Realdinocan be seen in the six readingtables made of precious woods,which are true masterpieces of18th century cabinetmaking.The magnificent main floor ofthe library is divided into threerooms linked by arches. Theceilings display perspectival

paintings and the walls are linedwith sumptuous bookcaseslacquered in dark green, redand black with gilded chinoiseriedecoration.The building also includes theAcademic Prison, which wasbuilt over the remains of themedieval jai l of the RoyalPalace dating from the late 14th

century. It is the only survivingmedieval prison in Portugaltoday.Before visiting the JoanineLibrary, you should purchase aticket at the University shop,located in the hall of the GeneralLibrary (Largo da Porta Férrea).Between November 1 and the2nd Friday before Easter: 9.30a.m.–5.30 p.m.; weekends:10.30 a.m.–4.30 p.m. Rest ofthe year: 9 a.m.–7.20 p.m.Bus lines: 1A, 34, 60, 103 &Market Elevator.A

Easter (April 4 to 12) andJune 15 to mid-Septem-ber: Monday to Friday, 9a.m.–8 p.m. Saturday,Sunday & public holi-days, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.Closed December 25 &January 1.

WIRELESS ACCESS- Praça 8 de Maio- Arnado Shopping &Business Centre [RuaJoão de Ruão]- Atrium Solum [Av. Elísiode Moura]- Post offices (CTT) [Av.Fernão de Magalhães,Pedrulha, University,Market, Santa Cruz(Praça da República)and Vale das Flores]- Dolce Vita ShoppingCenter [Rua GeneralHumberto Delgado]- Loja do Cidadão/PTStore[Largo do Bota Abaixo]- CoimbraShopping [Av.Mendes Silva]- Forum Coimbra [SantaClara]- Mondego Green Park[Av. da Lousã]

EMERGENCYSERVICES NUMBERS- National EmergencyNumber: 112- Health 24 (IncludingChildren’s Health 24 and‘Public Health’ Line):808 242 424- Poisoning: 808 250143

Police – Command cen-tre: 239 797 640- Coimbra Municipal FireBrigade:239 792 800 /239 792 808- Coimbra Voluntary FireBrigade: 239 822 323(emergency)- Brasfemes Fire Briga-de:239 910 000- National Forest Prote-ction: 117

HOSPITALS- University Hospitals[Avenida Bissaya Bar-reto & Praceta Prof.Mota Pinto]: 239 400400 / 239 400 500Emergency service: 239400 403- Coimbra HospitalCentre [S. Martinho doBispo]: 239 800 100- Paediatric Hospital [Av.Bissaya Barreto]: 239480 300Emergency service: 239480 321- Bissaya Barreto Mater-nity Hospital [Rua Au-gusta]: 239 480 400- Dr. Daniel MatosMaternity Hospital [RuaMiguel Torga]: 239 403060 / 239 404 666- Coimbra PsychiatricHospital - Sobral CidUnit: 239 796 400- Portuguese Inst. ofOncology [Av. Dr. BissayaBarreto]: 239 400 200

PUBLIC SECURITY- Public Security Police

Headquarters [Av. Elísiode Moura]2nd Squadron [RuaOlÌmpio Nicolau RuiFernandes]Rapid Response &Inspection Squadron &Transport Section [RuaD. Ernesto Sena deOliveira]General nr.: 239 797 640- Republican NationalGuard (GNR) [Av. Diasda Silva]General nr.: 239 794 300Traffic nr.: 239 794 400- Judicial Police [RuaVenâncio Rodrigues]General nr.: 239 863 000- Municipal Police [Av.Sá da Bandeira]: 239854 410

ACTIVITIESFestival of the City ofCoimbra and theQueen St IsabelThe Festas of theRainha Santa arereputed to be the mostgenuine manifestationof the City’s venerationfor its patron saint,Queen Isabel, wife ofKing Dinis. Known forher great piety, sheshowed great sympathyfor the poor and exclu-ded, and thus came tobe known as the HolyQueen. She was cano-nised in 1625, an occa-sion for Coimbra toshow its joy and enthu-siasm in celebrations

which lasted a wholeweek. These days theFestas are held every 2years, uniting religiousand secular ceremo-nies.The high point arethe two religious proces-sions, one in the day-timeand the other at night,when the statue of thesaint is carried across thebridge to the GraçaChurch, returning on thefollowing Sunday to itspermanent home in theConvent of Santa Clara--a-Nova.July (biennually in even-numbered years)

Antiques Fair[Praça do Comércio]

Has a great variety ofproducts for sale, espe-cially antiques, from ce-ramic and metal objectsand jewellery to domes-tic utensils.Books have a specialplace at this fair, wherea great number ofantique booksellerscongregate.Fourth Saturday ofevery month, 9 a.m.–7p.m. Bus lines: “Pantu-finhas” (Blue Line) & 42.

Book Fair[Praça da República]At the major annual bookfair held in Coimbra youcan browse and buybooks that are often hardto find in bookstores. Theprogram of the Book Fairincludes lectures andautograph sessions withguest authors and mu-sical events, among otheractivities.Annual. April/May.

Handicrafts Fair[Praça da República]For a week, crafts-people from severalregions of Portugal andfrom other countriesdisplay arts and craftsrelated to contem-porary creations. Typesof crafts represented:cork work, pottery andceramics, weaving, em-broidery, lace-making,patchwork, metalwor-

king, tinwork, woodwor-king, filigree and jewelle-ry, basket weaving andstraw marketry, glass-blowing, toys and minia-tures, sculpture, stone-work and musical instru-ments.Annual. May.

Jazz ao Centro –International JazzMee-tingsThe event Jazz aoCentro – Coimbra Inter-national Jazz Meetingsbrings together proemi-nent figures in contem-porary jazz. In additionto the concerts and“after-hours” events, onthe days of this festivalCoimbra hosts sessionsof documentary film,

pedagogic concerts,photography and graphicdesign exhibits and arecord fair.Annual.June (subject to change)

Magic MeetingsThis is the most impor-tant cultural event dedi-cated to the art of magicin the country. It includesseveral daily magicshows in the streets ofdowntown Coimbra andshows at the PaediatricHospital as well as at thecity’s Prison Establish-ment.The two InternationalGalas at the Gil VicenteTheatre are the highpoints of the festival,with performances by a

number of world-renow-ned magicians.Annual. September.

Flowerand Plant MarketSmells and flavourspervade the streets ofdowntown Coimbra as aresult of an initiative thatcombines flowers andplants with traditionalsweetmeats.At the Flower and PlantMarket, folklore andethnographic groupspresent the gastronomyof the region. This eventalso includes streetperformances, providingcultural entertainment.Annual.May (subject to change).

Medieval Fair(Old Cathedral Square)A re-enactment of amedieval fair, withpeople in period costumeand the sale of typicalproducts.There may also bemedieval suppers, re-creating the food andatmosphere of theperiod.Annual. June

Popular Fair(Left bank of the Mon-dego)Roundabouts and manyother rides, sale ofhandicrafts and snacks.Annual. June

Santa Cruz MonasteryNational Pantheon[Praça 8 de Maio]

Founded by the Canons Regular of the Orderof St Augustine, the monastery was begun in1131 but successive reforms throughout thecenturies have altered the original building.The main façade (1507-1513) is now flankedby two bell towers.The main portal, dating from 1523-25, wassculpted by Nicolas of Chanterenne. Thethree statues of the Virgin Mary, a Prophetand King David standing over the entrancewere made by Jean de Rouen in 1530. TheTriumphal Arch in front of the church entrancedates from the early 19th century. The churchhas a single nave with indented t i lesillustrating the “Discovery of the Real Cross”and the “Life of St Augustine”. The stalls incarved wood and the balustrade dominate theupper choir.The following chapels are worthy of notice:Saint Sepulchre, St Anthony and Stations ofthe Cross (in Portuguese, “Lord of the Steps”),all from the 16th century; the Holy Sacrament,currently the vestibule of the Chapel of theMartyrs of Morocco, dating from the 15th

century; and the Chapel of Jesus.The tombs of the first kings of Portugal,Afonso Henriques and Sancho I, lie in thechancel, and for this reason the Santa CruzChurch was granted the status of NationalPantheon in August 2003. Commissioned byKing Manuel I, the tombs were designed byJoão de Castilho and executed by Diogo deCastilho. Nicolas de Chanterenne sculptedthe recumbent statues, the first made inPortugal in full Renaissance style.Also worthy of attention are the pulpitdesigned by Nicolas de Chanterenne (1521);the recently recovered monumental Baroqueorgan, from the 18th century, made byFrancisco Lorete and Manuel Benito GomesHerrera (1719-24); the Manueline-stylecrossing (between the nave and the altar)designed by João de Machado; the Mannerist

Sacristy by Pedro Nunes Tinoco (1622-24), inspiredby the Vatican’s Sala Regia; the Cloister of Silence(1517-22), by Marcos Pires; the Chapter House, byDiogo Boutaca; and the Refectory.Weekdays, 7.30 a.m.–6.30 p.m. Saturday, 7.30a.m.–12.30/ 2–7.30 p.m. Sunday, 8.30 a.m.–12.30/4–7.30 p.m. Closed on public holidays (afternoon).Open to worship.Bus lines:”Pantufinhas” e 42B

The Arch and Tower of Almedina were partof the city walls, which extended for 2kmand constituted a strong defensive systemduring the medieval period. The arch stoodafter the barbican [outer gateway], and wasone of entrances into the walled city in the15th century. Today, it is the “gate” thatconnects uptown and downtown Coimbra.Some of its parts are from the 9th, 11th and12th centuries, but its current form datesfrom the first phase of the Manueline period(15th-16th centuries).The Tower is currentlydivided into two superimposed rooms, andthe access to one of them is made throughan early 18th century external staircase.Traces of some of the interventions madein the building throughout the centuries arevisible in this room. One can see traces ofthe Main Gate of the Tower, which fordefence reasons could only be accessedthrough a wooden ladder that was raisedin case of danger, as well as of the crenelleand the door to the battlement of the wall,both on the north side. At the floor level,there are two openings (called machicola-tions) that were probably used for defence.Connection to the upper floor is madethrough steps carved in the wall, datingfrom the time when the City Counciloccupied the premises. This space has hadseveral uses throughout the times: it wasthe Assembly Hall of the City Council inthe 14th, 15th, 16th and 19th centuries; theFree School of the Arts of Drawing in 1878;the Ethnographic Museum in 1954; theMunicipal Historical Archive from 1978;and, since 2003, it has been occupied bythe Interpretation Centre of the Walled City,which is part of the Municipal Museum.October to March: Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m./2-6 p.m. Aprilto September: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m./2–6 p.m. Closed Sunday, Monday &public holidays.Bus lines:”Pantufinhas” e 42.

Almedina Arch and Tower[Rua Ferreira Borges/Pátio do Castilho]

You can also find nearby:

The Anto Tower (Tower of the Prior of Ameal) and theContenda Tower, which are connected by a curtain wallwhich still preserves the walkway of the battlement(chemin de ronde), although with alterations. The firstcannot be visited, and the second is part of the Houseof Sobre Ripas, which houses the Institute ofArchaeology of the Faculty of Letters of the Universityof Coimbra.

Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha[Rua das Parreiras]

Dr Manuel Braga Park and Mondego Green Park[Av. Emídio Navarro, Av. da Lousã & Av. D. Inês de Castro]

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Founded in 1283 by the Abbess Dona MorDias, the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha was given to Clarisse nuns shortlyafterwards.Extinguished in 1311 due to conflicts withthe canons of the Monastery of SantaCruz, it was refounded by Dona Isabel ofAragon, the Queen Saint Isabel, who hada new church built in Gothic style,consecrated in 1330.The temple has Romanesque features,with thick walls and buttresses, and Gothiccharacteristics. The cloister is the largestin Gothic style in Portugal. A hospital forthe poor, with a cemetery and chapel, anda palace were built next to the monastery.The site of the convent proved a badchoice, due to constant flooding from theRiver Mondego nearby. The old monastery,which was abandoned for good in 1677,became known as Santa Clara-a-Velha,and the sisters moved uphill to a newbuilding, now the Convent of Santa Clara.After restoration work, the convent nowhas, in addit ion to the ruins, anInterpretation Centre that tells the historyof this place and of the Clarisse communitythrough the artefacts found on the site.The exhibition “Nuns and Ladies of SantaClara: Archeology of Seclusion” displaysabout 10 percent of the objects found, butit will keep renewing the exhibits until allof the finds are included, thus allowingvisitors to compare the actual scene withthat of the research.The space has an area of 28,000m2 thatcan be visited. The history of themonument is conveyed through differentmediums, including two films – “From Assisto Coimbra: Life and Death of a Monastery”and “Memorial to Water: ContemporaryInterventions”.

Also known as the City Park (Parque daCidade), the Dr Manuel Braga Park islocated along the banks of the MondegoRiver.It was planned in the 1920s by thelandscape gardener Jacinto de Matos.Among its varied species of trees, one canfind the hybrid plane tree, the lime, thecrape myrtle and the Siberian elm. Moreexotic species include butia palms andCanary Island date palms. In theflowerbeds, one can find begonias,bergenias, African lilies with purple-blueflowers, deep orange pot marigolds, liliesand primroses.Among its statues are a bust of Antero deQuental by Diogo de Macedo, and aromantic evocation of the poet FlorbelaEspanca by the Galician sculptorArmando “Jesus” Martinez.Opened in 2004, the Mondego GreenPark, comprising the two banks of theriver, was designed by the architectCamilo Cortesão.Here you can find bars, restaurants, achildren’s play area, pavil ions fortemporary exhibitions and the CentralPortugal Pavilion, designed by SoutoMoura and Álvaro Siza Vieira (seeContemporary Architecture).The Pedro and Inês pedestrian bridge,designed by Adão Fonseca and CecilBalmond (see Contemporary Archi-tecture), links the two sides of the river.Bicycle Hire (left bank): weekends &public holidays, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.Hire of Pedal Karts (right bank): weekends& public holidays, February, March andNovember, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; April toSeptember, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; also onweekdays between 15 June & 15September, 3–8 p.m.

Audio guides available in Portuguese, English,French and Spanish. Guided visits. Shop andcafeteria with terrace. Disabled access.Tuesday to Sunday: from May to September, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. (last admission at 6.15 p.m.); from October toApril, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (last admission at 4.30).–ClosedMondays, January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1 andDecember 25.Free of charge on Sundays & publicholidays until 2 p.m.Bus lines: 6, 13, 14, 14T, 18, 20, 23 & 41

Pedalo Hire (right bank): weekends & public holidays,February, March and November, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Marchto October, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Only in fine weather.Bus lines: 5F, 7T, 10, 11, 24T, 38 & 41 (Dr Manuel BragaPark)11, 24, 33, 37 & 41 (Mondego Green Park).

Created and developed in Coimbra over many generations, academic traditions offer university studentsa special and unique experience. The black student outfit worn with a gown, which is an integral partof the so-called Praxe (student customs and traditions), is the “trademark” of the academy. It is knownthroughout the world as the distinctive symbol of the University of Coimbra.Traditions related to “caloiros” (new students) are a particularly prominent part of praxe, especially inthe beginning of the academic year, when the “Festa das Latas” (or Latada, meaning “Tin Can Festival”)takes place to welcome the new students to the University of Coimbra. This week-long festival includesconcerts and different cultural and sports events, and its high point is a parade throughout the streetsof the city where caloiros are dressed up, usually displaying donkey ears, tin cans and other decorations.When they get to the Mondego River downtown, their “Godfathers” or “Godmothers” (older students)baptize them in the river using a chamber pot.But the most emblematic student festival of Coimbra is the Queima das Fitas (meaning literally “Burningof the Ribbons”). It is the largest student celebration in Europe and the oldest in Portugal, extendingfor the same number of days as the number of schools that compose the University. The Queima dasFitas marks the end of the Coimbra experience for those who graduate. The festivities begin with theso-called “Monumental Serenade”, on the steps of the Old Cathedral, and include a Gala Ball, Garraiada(a mock bullfight), Chá Dançante (dancing party), Venda da Pasta (a charity sale), the Queima doGrelo (the ribbon-burning ritual to which the festival owes its name) and the Cortejo dos Quartanistas(the seniors’ parade), as well as the popular Nights in the Park. The event attracts on average onemillion people, mostly higher education students.Festa das Latas of University of Coimbra Students [Annual. October/November]Queima das Fitas of University of Coimbra Students [Annual. May]

Coimbra Fraternities (Repúblicas)Repúblicas originated in the 14th century. These student “houses” are characterized by the cultivationof values such as community, independence and democracy. Decisions are usually made unanimously,and all the members of the fraternity are responsible for the chores involved in managing the household.Ac

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The roots of the Song of Coimbra lie in the city’s urban folklore, both popular and academic, and theSerenade is its most genuine artistic expression. The musician and historian Jorge Cravo defines fourfundamental periods in the academic evolution of this type of song in the 20th century: “First period(1920s) – with Edmundo de Bettencourt (1899-1973), singer and poet of the literary magazine Presença,the Modernist School of the Song of Coimbra emerges; second period (1960s) – José Afonso (1929-1987) exchanges the twelve-string guitar for the six-string guitar as accompaniment, and comes toinfluence the Protest Song, with Adriano Correia de Oliveira (1942-1982) and António Bernardino(1941-1996); third period (1960s) – from 1963 to 1966, guitarist and poet Nuno Guimarães (1942-1973) renews the most traditional strand of the academic song of Coimbra, and influences the musicof José Manuel dos Santos (1943-1989), M·rio Soares da Veiga and AntÛnio Bernardino; fourth period(1960s/1970s) – Luiz Goes (b. 1933), having assimilated the important legacy of Edmundo deBettencourt in the redefinition of the Song of Coimbra, gives rise to a New Song, from 1967 onwards.The Goesian School thus led to the emergence of Neo-Modernism in the Song of Coimbra, influencingits development in the 1980s and 1990s (postmodernist generations)”. With the revival of the Song ofCoimbra in 1978/80, individual names gave way to the group as a collective identity in performance,and since then many different groups of students have emerged. The Song of Coimbra is a musicaltradition that is alive and thriving, being continually renewed by different generations of voices andinstruments.

Places where it is performed:A Capella – Cultural Centre/Fado House[Largo da VictÛria/Rua Corpo de Deus]Nossa Senhora da VitÛria Chapel. Fado and/or livemusic every night from 9.45 p.m. Outside smokingarea. Daily from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.Tel. 239 833 985/ 961 534 063/ 918 113 307http://www.acapella.com.pt

Rio de Fado [River of Fado]On the Basófias boat, listen to fado while cruisingon the calm waters of the Mondego River. June 15to September 15: daily at 10 p.m. (sporadicallysubject to change). Place of embarkation: Dock atDr. Manuel Braga Park, 15 minutes before.Pre-booking: 912 001 832/ 917 056 060.http://www.riodefado.com or http://www.basofias.comTh

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Having always been connected to literature, Coimbra has had a special place in the work of great writers,and many references to the city are found in their poems and novels. Writers who have lived here includeEugénio de Castro, a poet with a degree from the University of Coimbra who is considered to be themajor reference of Symbolism in Portugal; Jaime Cortesão, a physician, writer, poet and historian whoinfluenced and was influenced by his experience in Coimbra; Fernando Namora, whose profession as aphysician greatly influenced his fictional work; Antero de Quental, who studied Law at Coimbra,distinguished himself as a poet, philosopher and politician, and is today one of the best rememberedstudent leaders; Eça de Queirós, regarded as the greatest Portuguese realist writer of the 19th century,with a degree in Law by the University of Coimbra, made a great many references to the city in hiswritings; and Miguel Torga, the pen name of Adolfo Correia Rocha, a physician who lived and worked fordecades in Coimbra, and who was one of the most important Portuguese writers of the 20th century.

Torga RouteEntitled “Walking throughLiterature with MiguelTorga”, this route inclu-des a city trajectory thattakes participants toTorga’s boarding school,the José Falcão HighSchool (the former S.Bento College), theUniversity of Coimbra,the Estrela do NorteFraternity, the officewhere he practicedmedicine, and the MiguelTorga House Museum,where the writer lived.The tour allows partici-pants to get to know theplaces which illustrateTorga’s relationship withCoimbra.A flyer containing excerptsof Torga’s texts related to

his life in the city isavailable.Place of departure: Largoda Portagem (next to thebuilding of the MiguelTorga Office/ MontepioGeral Bank). Pre-booking:239 702 630.

Miguel Torga HouseMuseum[Prac. Fernando Pessoa]Former residence of thewriter, devolved to theCoimbra municipality byhis daughter (including thefurnishings). In addition tothe library and some ofMiguel Torga’s personalobjects, the house will hosta Centre of Torga Studieswith a small auditorium andother units dedicated toresearch. Among the

document collection at theHouse Museum, thebooks of Miguel Torga’slibrary stand out, includingfirst editions of his worksand others publishedbefore his death as well asposthumously. There arealso publications by otherauthors who wrote aboutTorga and autographedbooks by contempora-neous writers, as well aspress articles and hand-written and typewrittenpoems. Among his per-sonal objects, highlightshould be given to histypewriter, pen, correspon-dence and photographand record collection.Articles related to hisprofession as a doctorinclude a stethoscope,diplomas and the Year-book of the Fourth YearMedical Students, datedfrom May 1932. The HouseMuseum regularly organi-zes cultural activitiesconnected to the life andwork of Miguel Torga.Monday to Friday: 2.30–6p.m. Open Saturday onlywith pre-booking and for aminimum of 10 visitors.

Bus lines: 4, 37, 42 &103.

Miguel Torga Monument[Largo da Portagem]The Miguel Torga Monu-ment, a homage to thewriter and physician MiguelTorga, was designed byarchitects José AntónioBandeirinha and AntónioOlaio. Having the shapeof a passageway, thesculpture is made ofBordalo stone, bronzeand schist. It stands onthe riverbank, one part ofit jutting out over theprotection fence, and itcontains an inscriptionwith the name “Torga”and some lines from thewriter’s Diário XIV [14th

Diary]:“De todos os cilícios, um,apenas/Me foi gratosofrer:/Cinquenta anosde desassossego/A verco r re r, /Se renas /Aságuas do Mondego”.[Of all the torments, oneonly I suffered gladly:/Fifty years of unrest/Looking at the running,/Serene/ Waters of theMondego].

Miguel Torga Monument

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ChoupalNational ForestOne of the mostbeautiful spaces in thecity, Choupal has a vastplant and animalpatrimony that isunusual in Portugal.It is also symbolicallyassociated with fadoand the student life ofCoimbra.In addit ion to theworkout trai ls forexercise, there arewater and nature pathsthat allow you to obser-ve and enjoy the floraand fauna of the woods,among which the char-ming otters stand out.Bus lines: 5, 14, 25, 28,29, 30, 35, 36 & 39.

Vale de CanasNational Forest[Vale de Canas]In the 16th century, thisforest, then totally wild,belonged to the Portu-guese Crown and wasknown as the King’sForest.Its species include thechestnut tree, the whitepoplar, the ash tree, the

lime, the wild cherry, thebay laurel, the peachtree, the plane, the mapleand the oak.Located at a distance of3 km to the east ofCoimbra, it occupies anarea of 16 hectares.With a picnic area and anEnvironmental EducationCentre, as well as severalhiking trails and a NatureInterpretation Trail, thisforest is a good place forenjoying long walks,especially on weekends.Bus lines: 16 & 16G.

Paul de ArzilaNature Reserve[Arzila]Situated on the left bankof the Mondego Riverand occupying part ofthe course of theCernache Brook, thepaúl (marsh) is a smallwet zone, with vege-

tation of bulrushes andreeds.In the ditches there areyellow flag-irises, andalong the banks growpoplars and willows.On the edge of the zonethere are stands of pineand eucalyptus.The marsh has a variedpopulation of birds andmammals: in autumn it isan important stoppingplace for migrant passe-rines, and in spring andsummer many wetlandbirds nest here.Monday to Friday,excepting holidays: 9a.m.–12.30/ 1 - 5.30 p.m.Bus line: 21.

Casa do Sal Garden[Rotunda da Casa do Sal]This garden is located atthe entrance to the cityfrom the north, next toPraça Água das Maias

Coimbra has an extre-mely rich natural patri-mony that includes oakforests, riverside woodsand marshes, in alandscape made up ofvalleys, hills and moun-tains, as well as parksand gardens within thecity.

(“Casa do Sal” round-about).Crossing the woodenbridge that leads toMonte Formoso, youcan observe riverineplant species and anumber of birds.The garden is a sunnyspot where children canrelax and play.It has pathways and asmall children’s play-ground.Bus lines: 2, 5, 14, 27,29 & 40.

Vale das FloresLinear ParkOpened in 2001, it is aplace for socialising, forleisure and for sportingactivities.It has a track for walking,and a children’s play-ground.Bus lines: 11, 24, 33, 37& 41.

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Penedo da Saudade[Av. Marnoco e Sousa]

This rocky promontory with its gardens, onceknown as the Pedra dos Ventos (Stone of theWinds), owes its name (Rock of Longing) to thetradition that Prince Pedro often went there toweep for the loss of his beloved Inês.This romantic site offers a superb view of theeastern part of the city, the Mondego River, theRoxo Mountain and, on fine days, the westernextremity of the Mountain of Lousã, 1,204 metersin height.This is a special place for poets and students,as evidenced by the numerous stone plaquesinscribed with odes to its beauty and tranquillityD

(the earliest dates from 1885). In the 20th

century, during course reunions and otherstudent events, it became the custom to sethere a stone plaque with commemorativeverses, particularly in the part known as theSala dos Cursos.The garden is laid out in different levels, usingthe local topography to best advantage.There are benches in every part of the garden,many of them excavated from or set into thesandstone rocks, providing opportunities forrest, for reflection, and also for the contem-plation of nature.Botany lovers can find here many species ofexotic trees, as well as fruit trees such asstrawberry trees, which produce a dark orangeround berry.The area close to the avenue is dedicated toimportant figures in Portuguese culture, suchas the poet and educator João de Deus, thepoet António Nobre and the writer Eça deQueirós.Bus lines: 4 & 6.

Memorial to Sister Lúcia[Av. Marnoco e Sousa]

This Memorial is next to the Carmelite Conventof St Teresa, in a building designed by thearchitect Florindo Belo Marques. Here visitorscan see objects used or made by Sister Lúciathroughout her life, including her glasses, sewingbox, typewriter, manuscripts, the skirt she waswearing when she entered the convent and otheritems of clothing. The exhibits are organizedaccording to an itinerary that follows SisterLúcia’s thoughts and images, creating theimpression that it is she herself who is revealingthe course of her life. Visitors travel in time fromthe period of the Fátima Apparitions to Lúcia’s

death at the age of 97 in her cell at the convent, on13 February 2005. The visit ends with a replica ofthe cell. There are also some objects offered by PopeJohn Paul II, notably a cassock, and a Romanvestment offered by King Umberto II of Italy. Onrequest, visitors can see a projection of photos ofSister Lúcia. Lúcia de Jesus was born in Aljustrel,parish of Fátima, municipality of Ourém, on 22 March1907. A shepherd like her cousins Francisco andJacinta Marto, at the age of ten she witnessed theapparitions of Our Lady, and was the only one ofthe children who spoke with Her, receiving amessage that was to be disclosed in the future. Aftera period of time at the School of the Sisters of StDorothy, in Oporto, and at the Institute of St Dorothy,in Tuy (province of Pontevedra, Spain), she enteredthe Carmelite Convent of St Teresa in Coimbra, on25 March 1948. For 57 years she lived there,devoting her life to prayer.Tuesday to Friday: 10 a.m.–12/ 3–6 p.m. Saturday,Sunday & public holidays: 3–6 p.m. Closed Monday.November 1 to April 1: 2–5 p.m.Bus lines: 4 & 6

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In 1217, the wife of King Afonso II, Dona Urraca,gave a chapel to the Franciscans, who had justarrived in Portugal, to set up temporary quarters.Among this small community, one who tookFranciscan orders was the young Fernando deBulhões, better known as St Anthony of Lisbonor Padua, who was canonised in 1232. In 1247,the monks moved to the left bank of theMondego, but due to the affection and devotionthat the cult of St Anthony began to develop,the Chapter gradually rebuilt and expanded theancient temple until the 16th century, when theFranciscans again gained the right to theproperty. They remained there unti l thedissolution of the religious orders in Portugal in1834. The Conventual Franciscans returned tothe church in 1974, and they have remainedthere to this day. The present church, from the18th century, is Baroque in style. Inside, thesingle nave is lined with 18th century blue andwhite tiles depicting the life of the saint. Thereare also 18th century gilded retables, of whichthe one in the high altar, depicting Our Lady ofConception, is signed by Pascoal Parente.

Santo António dos Olivais Church (St Anthony Church)[Largo Padre Estrela Ferraz]

Fernando Martins Bulhões was born in Lisbon,sometime between September 1191 and August1195. At 7 or 8 years of age, he began hisreligious education at the school of the Cathedralof St Mary in Lisbon, and at 15 he entered theAugustinian Abbey of St Vincent (São Vicentede Fora). He later asked to be transferred to theSanta Cruz Monastery in Coimbra, and it wasthere that he met the Friars Minor of the St AntonHermitage in Olivais, in the outskirts of Coimbra,who lived a life of poverty, humility and penitence,depending on charity for their livelihood. Havingreceived permission to move to this hermitage,Fernando changed his name to Anthony, inhomage to St Anton (“Antonius” in Latin).After a fai led tr ip to northern Africa, heestablished himself for good in Padua in 1231,where he remained until his death. He wascanonized by Pope Gregory IX, on 30 May 1232,and declared Doctor of the Church by Pope PiusXIII, with the title of “Evangelical Doctor”, on 16January 1946.Daily, 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Open to worship.Bus lines: 4, 7, 7T, 16, 16G & 3.

St Anthony Study Centre[Av. Dias da Silva]

Inaugurated in November 2006,on the occasion of thecelebration of the 152nd anniver-sary of the Parish of SantoAntónio dos Olivais, the Centreis housed in the former buildingof the Parish Council.It has a large collection of ancientand modern pictures and photo-graphs – from churches inEurope, Mexico, India, Macauand Africa – as well as books,medals, stamps and t i lesreferring to St Anthony.Part of the collection wasdonated by the collector AlfredoBastos or by private citizens.Here too is the Children’s Room,with handicrafts by AristidesFernandes and João Morujo,artists living in this parish.Among these pieces are modelsof chapels, typical local houses,windmills, and even the Olivais

Church and the Olivais Sports Pavilion, as well as miniatures of oldautomobiles, trolley cars and trains.The exhibits include representations of crafts that have disappearedor are becoming obsolete, such as basketry, barrel making, cork workand shoemaking.Monday to Friday: 9.30 a.m.–12.30 / 2–5.30 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m.–12.30/ 2–5.30 p.m.Closed Sunday & public holidays.Bus lines: 7, 7T & 103.

Interpr. Centre Santa Clara-a-Velha Cerca de São Bernardo Theatre Pedro & Inês Pedestrian Bridge Colina de Camões Amphitheatre Campus II of the Univ. of CoimbraPedro & InêsPedestrian Bridge(Parque Verde do Mondego)Designed by the engineers CecilBalmond and Adão da Fonseca,and opened in November 2006,the bridge, part of the PolisProgramme, was built to connectthe right and left banks of theMondego.275 metres long and 4 metreswide, it has a ‘square’ in themiddle, 8 metres wide. Thewalkway is of wood, and the siderailings support yellow, blue,green and pink glass panels. Thebridge is already an architecturalicon: specialists have seen it as“revolutionary but elegant”, “apiece of engineering audacity”.[see Map C]

Central Portugal Pavilion[Mondego Green Park]Designed by the architects SoutoMoura and Siza Vieira for Expo2000 in Hanover, Germany, thePavilion, situated in the GreenPark on the right bank of theMondego, has an area of 1375

square metres, and hostsexhibitions, concerts and othercultural events.Management of the building andprogramming of activities hasbeen devolved by the CityCouncil to the Orquestra Cl·ssicado Centro. The entrance to thisL-shaped removable building isthrough a patio, and its largestvolume is occupied by anexhibition room. The organic-shaped wavy roof is made ofdouble-lined synthetic canvasthat allows light to come in, andprovides thermal insulation aswell as good acoustic conditions.The external walls of the buildingare lined with cork and tiles.Daily, 2–8 p.m. Subject to changewhen events take place.[See Map C]

Rainha Santa Isabel BridgeDesigned by the engineerAntónio Reis, the latest bridgeover the Mondego has 2carriageways, each with 3 lanes.Opened in 2004, it has improvedaccess to the area of Vale das

Flores and the University’sCampus II, for those approachingfrom the IC2 or the left bank ofthe river.

Campus II of the Universityof Coimbra[Pinhal de Marrocos]Dating from 1988 and designed bythe architects Camillo Cortesãoand Mercês Vieira, Campus II ofthe University of Coimbra standsout in the cityscape and representsa new centrality.With markedly contemporaryarchitectural features, of whichhorizontality and boldness in thetreatment of light are fundamentalelements, this set of buildingsestablishes not only a relation withthe surrounding landscape, butalso with the University uptown,through the large stairway,reminiscent of the MonumentalStairs, that extends across theComputer Science and ElectronicEngineering Departments (desi-gned by architects Gonçalo Byrneand Manuel Aires Mateus). The setof contrasting materials, such as

those used in the Student Housing(by architect Manuel Rocha deAires Mateus), led this work to beselected in 2000 by the Mies Vander Rohe Foundation for theEuropean Union Prize for Contem-porary Architecture.Bus lines: 34.

Interpretation Centre of theSanta Clara-a-Velha Convent[Parreiras Street]Designed by architects AlexandreAlves Costa, Sérgio Fernandezand Luís Urbano, the newInterpretation Centre of the SantaClara-a-Velha Convent wasrecently awarded the 2009 DiogoCastilho Municipal Prize forArchitecture.The space was conceived withthe aim of presenting thearchaeological site from acontemporary perspective. Thework enhances the city’s historicaland cultural patrimony, and itssubtle position in relation to theruin achieves a perfect sense ofbalance.[See Map C]

Colina de Camões Amphitheatre[Quinta das Lágrimas]Designed by the landscape architectCristina Castel-Branco, this spacewas awarded the National Prize ofLandscape Architecture in 2008.The Amphitheatre’s structure isbased on the contrast between itswhite stone and the shadow itprojects on the grass. It plays withgreen, white and the absence of lightalways from different angles due tothe movement of the sun. Theconstruction is next to a pond of 18meters in diameter.[See Map C]

Contemporary Building of theMachado de Castro NationalMuseum[Largo Dr. José Rodrigues]The requalification of the Machadode Castro National Museuminvolves an ambitious architecturalproject by architect Gonçalo Byrne,which seeks to reveal and tointerrelate the essential elements ofa number of pre-existing buildings.When the work is completed, thefuture museum will be a new

museum, not only because of thealterations to the former buildingand the addition of a modernconstruction, but also because theexpanded space will allow morepieces from its extremely richcollection to be put on display.[See Map A]

Cerca de São Bernardo Theatre[Pátio da Inquisição]The building was designed byarchitect Luís Durão in thecontext of the restoration of theCollege of Arts and the P·tio daInquisição [Inquisition Square],and is perfectly embedded in thesurrounding landscape. Inside, amodular room allows variablesettings, and the auditorium ismade of modules. Control panelson wheels can be movedanywhere, and the suspensionsystem has a grid of motors thatcan be used as a cluster, creatingrods in several directions andshapes. The lighting system ismade of boxes and movabletracks.[See Map B]

Central Portugal Pavilion

Rainha Santa Isabel BridgeCampus II of the Univ. of Coimbra Contemp. Building M. C. Nat. Museum Interpr. Centre Santa Clara-a-Velha Pedro & Inês Pedestrian BridgeCentral Portugal PavilionCont

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University of Coimbra[Largo da Porta Férrea]It occupies the building that was theRoyal Palace of Coimbra between the12th and the 15th centuries. Thebuilding has belonged to the universitysince 1597, having been purchasedfrom King Philip II of Spain (Philip I ofPortugal). It was remodelled severaltimes in the course of its history. TheUniversity of Coimbra is one of theoldest in Europe. Founded in Lisbonby King Dinis in 1290, it was definitivelytransferred to Coimbra in 1537, whereit has since remained. Visitors haveaccess to the Joanine Library (seehighlighted description), the AcademicPrison, St Michael’s Chapel, the GrandHall [Sala dos Capelos or Sala Grandedos Actos], the Via Latina (a porticoedgallery), the Private ExaminationRoom [Sala do Exame Privado] andthe Iron Gate [Porta Férrea].Between November 1 and the 2ndFriday before Easter: 9.30 a.m. –5.30 p.m.; weekends: 10.30 a.m.–4.30 p.m. Rest of the year: 9 a.m.–7.20 p.m. Bus lines: 1A, 34, 60, 103& Market Elevator.

Science Museum of the Universityof Coimbra[Largo Marquês de Pombal]The museum is housed in the buildingof the old Chemical Laboratory, themost important neoclassical buildingin Portugal. It was constructedbetween 1773 and 1777 for theteaching of Chemistry, during theperiod of restructuring of the Universityinitiated by the Marquis of Pombal.Besides temporary exhibitions, it hasa permanent exhibition that exploresthe themes of light and matter, basedon the University’s collections ofscientific objects and instruments.Aspart of an ambitious project inprogress, the Science Museum hasincorporated the various museumunits of the University of Coimbra,including the Museum of Physics, theMuseum of Mineralogy and Geology,the Zoological Museum and theNatural History Museum. If you wish

to visit any of these units, please askfor information at the reception.Tuesday to Sunday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.Bus lines: 1A, 34, 60, 103 & MarketElevator.

Academic Museum[Largo D. Dinis]The mission of the Academic Museumis to collect, preserve and disseminatethe values, traditions and history of theacademic community. Its documentalcollection is of extreme value forresearch into many areas of academiclife. It has an interesting collection ofgarments and objects related to theUniversity and the academiccommunity.Weekdays: 9 a.m.–12.30 p.m./ 2–5.30p.m. Bus lines: 1A, 34, 60 & 103.

New Cathedral(Sé Nova)[Largo da Sé Nova]Founded by Jesuits in 1598, thechurch was only consecrated in 1640.The façade was built in two distinctphases: the first in classical style andthe second in Baroque. The interior isin the shape of a Latin cross with asingle nave. Worthy of notice are thegilded retable in carved wood withseveral sculptures and a painting in theHigh Altar, the stalls in blackwood withgilded backrests (17th century), twoorgans, the pulpits near the centre ofthe church, two retables inpolychromatic carved wood, andseveral chapels dedicated to Our Ladyof the Snows, the Life of the VirginMary, St Thomas of Villanova, the HolySacrament, St Anthony, theResurrection, and St Ignatius ofLoyola.Tuesday to Saturday: 8.30 a.m.–12/ 2–6.30 p.m. Closed Sunday afternoon,Monday & public holidays. Open toworship. Bus lines: 1A, 34, 60, 103 &Market Elevator.

Church of St. Salvador[Largo de São Salvador]Built in the second half of the 12th

century, the church was rebuilt in the

18th century. Its Romanesquedoorway dates from 1179. TheRococo retable above the high altaris dated 1746. The chapel of St Markhas a retable by Jean de Rouen from1540. The 18th-century illustrated tileswere made in Coimbra.Open to worship.Bus lines: 1A, 34, 60, 103 & MarketElevator.

Old Cathedral(Sé Velha)[Largo da Sé Velha/Rua do Norte]Built in the 12th century during thereign of King Afonso Henriques, thechurch’s façade is in the style of thesecond phase of Coimbra Romanes-que. The building contains the oldestGothic Cloisters in Portugal.The church has a remarkable numberof sculptures from the 12th to the 14th

centuries and several chapels,notably the Chapel of the HolySacrament by João de Ruão (Jean ofRouen) and St Peter’s Chapel byNicolau de Chantrene (Nicolas deChanterenne), both from the 16th

century. Some details worthy of noticeare the high altar retable, severalpaintings, tombs, the Spanish-Arabictiles and the ‘Porta Especiosa’(Beautiful Door) designed by Jean deRouen (16th century).Daily, 10 a.m.–6.30 p.m. Open toworship.Bus lines: “Pantufinhas”.

Botanic Garden of the University ofCoimbra [Calçada Martim de Freitas/Arcos doJardim]The Garden was created in 1772 aspart of the Natural History Museumestablished by the Marquis ofPombal’s reform of the university. Itwas declared a property of publicinterest in 1996. It covers an area ofabout 13.5 hectares.Some of theareas to visit are the lime walk, thelarge greenhouse (1856), the Victoriagreenhouse, the tropical alcove, thecentral square and fountain, the coldgreenhouse (1950s), the systematicschools/ medical school, the bamboo

thicket/ chapel of St Benedict (1852),and the woods that cover two thirdsof the total area of the Garden. Otherpoints of interest are the neoclassicalmain gate, designed by MasterGalinha, in wrought iron with bronzeornaments (1884), and the statue ofJ¹lio Henriques, one of the Garden’smost distinguished directors. TheBotanic Garden holds differentprograms of environmental and civiceducation throughout the year.October 1 to March 31: daily, 9 a.m.–5.30 p.m.; April 1 to September 30: 9a.m.–8 p.m. Bus lines: 1A, 5, 6, 10,11, 11C, 24, 24T, 26, 34, 42 e 103.

St Sebastian Aqueduct(Arcos do Jardim)[Calçada Martim de Freitas]Dating from the 16th century, itfollowed the structure, and probablymade use of the remains, of a formeraqueduct from Roman times. Theceremonial ashlar arch is crownedwith a graceful small shrine with 2statues, of St Sebastian and St Roch.It was used to carry water from theHill of the Convent of St Teresa to theupper part of town.Bus lines: 1A, 5, 6, 10, 11, 11C, 24,24T, 26, 34, 42 e 103

Bissaya Barreto House MuseumŠ[Rua da Infantaria, 23]Built in the 1920s, this neo-baroquerevivalist building was for thirty yearsthe residence of the surgeon andUniversity of Coimbra professorBissaya Barreto. The House Museumwas inaugurated in 1986 and containsthe principal pieces of BissayaBarreto’s private collection. Worthy ofnotice are the 16th-century tiles andstonework in the main entrance to thelower floor, and 18th-century tiles insome of the rooms.May to September: Tuesday toSunday, 3–6 p.m. Closed Monday &public holidays. October to April:Tuesday to Friday, 3–6 p.m. ClosedSaturday, Sunday, Monday & publicholidays. Bus lines: 1A, 5, 6, 10, 11,11C, 24, 24T, 26, 34, 42 e 103.

Science Museum of the University of Coimbra

University of Coimbra

Botanic Garden of the University of Coimbra

University of Coimbra

St Sebastian Aqueduct

Old Cathedral

Bissaya Barreto House Museum

Academic Museum (stairs)A

Nossa Senhora do Carmo Church

Church of St Bartholomew

Louzã Henriques Gallery of Musical Instruments(Municipal Museum)

Church of São Tiago

Visual Arts Centre

Church of St Pter’s College

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Elevator of the D. Pedro VMunicipal Market[Rua Olímpio Nicolau RuiFernandes]It serves as a regular means oftransportation to and fromuptown, where the university islocated. Passengers can use itwith any type of city transport(SMTUC) ticket or pass.Monday to Saturday: 7.30 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday & publicholidays: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.Bus lines: 5, 6, 11, 24 & 29

D. Pedro V Municipal Market[Rua Olímpio Nicolau RuiFernandes]It is the main marketplace ofCoimbra. It was built in 1867,and has been remodelledseveral times since then. Hereyou can find fresh produceeveryday except Sundays.Bus lines:1A, 5, 6, 11, 24 & 29

Manga Garden[Rua Olímpio Nicolau RuiFernandes]It is the central part of one ofthe three cloisters of the SantaCruz Monastery, and one of theearliest examples of Renais-sance architecture in Portugal.Its structure and symbols evokethe Fountain of Life – waterflows from the central templeinto eight tanks, grouped inpairs, which symbolize therivers of paradise.Bus lines: 1A, 5, 6, 11, 24 & 29

The Patio of the Inquisition(Pátio da Inquisição)This owes its name to the groupof buildings, of historical andarchitectural interest, where theHoly Office of the Inquisitionfunctioned from 1566 until it wassuppressed in 1821.Bus lines: 1A, 5, 6, 11, 24 & 29

Cerca de São Bernardo Theatre[Cerca de São Bernardo/Pátioda Inquisição]It houses the theatre companyA Escola da Noite. Design bythe architect Luís Durão (seeContemporary Architecture). Itsdistinguishing feature is thechangeable stage (rather than aproscenium stage), a movablearena and control panels onwheels.Daily, 10 a.m.–1 p.m./2–7 p.m.On performance days, the baris open from 8 p.m. to midnight.Bus lines: 1A, 5, 6, 11, 24 & 29

Visual Arts Centre[Pátio da Inquisição]Since 2003, after work ofexcavation and adaptation, theformer college buildings havebeen housing the Visual ArtsCentre, which emerged from theCoimbra Photography Meetings,organized by Albano da SilvaPereira. Restored and rede-signed by the architect JoãoMendes Ribeiro, the building hasan exhibition area of about 1,000m2. There are regular exhibitionsof contemporary photography aswell as of other arts.Tuesday to Sunday: 2–7 p.m.Bus lines: 1A, 4, 5, 6, 11, 24 & 29

Nossa Senhora do CarmoChurch[Rua da Sofia]Dating from 1597, the churchwas part of the Carmo College

(1542). The adjoining cloister, which fol lows aRenaissance style typical of 16th century Coimbra, is from1600. Worthy of notice are a late 16th century Manneristretable, with paintings by Simão Rodrigues andDomingos Vieira Serrão, a set of 17th century Lisbontiles and, in the sacristy, a “Deposition of Christ in theTomb” by Jean de Rouen. In the 19th century the collegebuilding was devolved to the Third Order.Monday to Saturday: 9.30 a.m.–12/ 3–4 p.m. Open toworship. Bus lines: 1A, 5, 6, 7, 11 & 24

Nossa Senhora da Graça Church[Rua da Sofia]The church was part of the College of Graça, foundedby King João III in 1543, belonging to the order ofAugustinian hermits. The church and cloister (1548) aresome of the earl iest examples in Coimbra ofRenaissance classicism. There is a Mannerist retablerepresenting the life of the Virgin and the Calvary byBaltasar Gomes Figueira, the father of Josefa de Óbidos.Monday to Saturday: 8.30–11.45 a.m./ 2.30–6.30 p.m.Open to worship.Bus lines: 1A, 5, 6, 11 & 24

Municipal MuseumIt consists of three units located in the historical centreof town: the Chiado Building (Telo de Morais Collection),Almedina Tower (Nucleus of the Walled City [seehighlight] and Almedina Gallery) and the LouzãHenriques Gallery of Musical Instruments.The Chiado Building [Ferreira Borges St.] is one of themost important and rare iron structure constructions ofthe city. It houses six clusters of valuable collections –painting, furniture, ceramics, sculpture, silver and anassortment of other pieces – which were assembled overthe course of four decades and donated to the city ofCoimbra by Maria Emília and José Carlos Telo deMorais.

The Almedina Gallery (Almedina Arch) displaystemporary exhibitions.The Louzã Henriques Gallery ofMusical Instruments [Couraça da Estrela] displays acollection of musical instruments assembled by thephysician Louzã Henriques.Chiado Building & Almedina Gallery: October to March– Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m./ 2–6 p.m.Almedina Tower & Louzã Henriques Gallery of MusicalInstruments: October to March – Tuesday to Saturday,10 a.m.–1 p.m./ 2–6 p.m.All units: April to September–– Tuesday to Saturday, 10a.m.–1 p.m./ 2–6 p.m. Closed Sunday, Monday & publicholidays.Bus lines:“Pantufinhas” (Blue line) & 42.

Church of São Tiago[Praça do Comércio]This Romanesque building dates from the late 12thcentury. The main doorway has geometric decorationsimilar to that of the Sé Velha (Old Cathedral). The sidedoor is decorated with shell patterns in homage to thepatron, St James (São Tiago). In the chancel there is aretable in the style of Coimbra Rococo.Monday to Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Closed Saturday,Sunday & public holidays. Bus lines: “Pantufinhas” & 42.

Church of St Bartholomew[Praça do Comércio]Dating back to the 10th century, it was rebuilt in the 12th

and 18th centuries. The interior has gilded Baroquealtarpieces, including a large painting of the martyrdomof the patron saint. On the Gospel side, a Manneristaltarpiece from the 16th century has paintings of the deathand resurrection of Christ.Monday to Saturday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday: 8 a.m.–12noon. Open to worship. Bus lines: “Pantufinhas” & 42.

Mondego Swimming Pools

Pedro & Inês Pedestrian Bridge

Young People’s Portugal (Portugal dos Pequenitos)

Infante D. Henrique Exploratorium Live Science Centre

Quinta das Lágrimas

Mondego Green Park View from the right bank of the Mondego

Water Museum

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Water Museum[Dr Manuel Braga Park]Situated in the Dr. Manuel de Braga Park, the museum is housed ina former water collection plant dating from 1922. It is a place full ofmemories, inspired by the permanent dialogue between Coimbraand the Mondego River. The museum’s annual cultural programmeincludes exhibitions of painting, sculpture, video and art installations,among other events.Tuesday to Sunday & public holidays: 10 a.m.–1 p.m./ 2–6 p.m.Closed Monday, December 25 and January 1. Bus lines: 10, 11T,24T, 33 & 41.

Young People’s Portugal (Portugal dos Pequenitos)[Rossio de Santa Clara]An educational and entertaiment park for children and young peopledesigned in the 1940s by the architect Cassiano Branco. It hasminiature replicas of some of the most famous monuments and themost characteristic houses of each region of Portugal. The SundialPavilion (Pavilhão Relógio de Sol), designed by the architect JoãoPaulo Revez Conceição, has been part of the park since 2003.January 1 to February 28/29: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; March 1 to May 31: 10a.m.–7 p.m. June 1 to September 15: 9 a.m.–8 p.m. September 16to October 15: 9 a.m.–7 p.m. October 16 to December 31: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Ticket office open till 30 minutes before closing time.Bus lines: 6, 13, 14, 14T, 18, 20, 31 & 41.

Santa Clara Convent[Alto de Santa Clara]This group of monastic buildings, begun in 1649, replaced the earlyconvent of Clarisse nuns, which had been damaged by floods fromthe nearby Mondego. Baroque but sober and utilitarian in style, thebuilding is adorned with small turrets. The church has a retable in thehigh altar and a 17th century crystal and silver urn containing thebody of the Queen St Isabel. The original stone tomb of the city’spatron saint, the work of Master Pêro in 1330, is in the lower choir.The cloister, dating from 1733, was designed by Carlos Mardel.Winter: 8.30 a.m.–6 p.m. Rest of the year: 8.30 a.m.–7 p.m. Guidedvisits: Monday to Sunday, 8.30–11 a.m./ 1–6 or 7 p.m. Open toworship. Bus lines: 6, 14, 14T, 20 & 3.

Gardens of the Quinta das Lágrimas[Rua António Augusto Gonçalves]The Quinta das Lágrimas, with its woods and gardens, continues topreserve its past by keeping alive the love story of Pedro and Inês.Near ponds and fountains, you might find the marbled newt, theIberian newt, the common toad or Perez’s frog. The characteristicriverine vegetation of the gardens includes some exotic trees, suchas acacias, horse chestnuts and Japanese cheesewoods. Theimposing sequoia deserves a pause to admire its magnificence. The colourful garden displaysroses, rosemary flowers and wild jasmine. The fruit that falls from the Japanese quincefeeds the hedgehogs in the garden, while the walnuts and hazelnuts are chosen by the jaysand in some periods by the common magpies. The setting includes a medieval garden anda magnificent outside amphitheatre (Colina de Camões).March 16 to November 15: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. 16 November to 15 March:Thurday to Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Closed January. Bus lines: 18.

Lapa dos Esteios[Estrada das Lages]Immortalised by poets, and for almost a century a meeting point for well-known intellectuals,it forms part of the 17th century Quinta das Canas, which still preserves much of its valuableheritage. From this legendary place, which figures in many stories of Coimbra life, one canenjoy a unique view of the river and the city. Worthy of notice are the group of statues thatrepresent Fortitude, Diogenes, Asia, Faith, Hope, Charity and Death. The Lapa’s beautifuland rich flora includes plane trees, boxwoods, acanthus, African lilies, hydrangeas, lilies,carnations, white lilies, rose vines, begonias, wisteria, passion fruit, grapevines, laurel,rosemary, mint, olive trees, peach trees, medlars, cherry trees, orange trees, lemon treesand banana trees. Among the many species of birds that one can find here are blackbirds,jays and house martins.Daily, 9 a.m.–5.30 p.m. Bus lines: 23.

Infante D. Henrique Exploratorium Live Science Centre[Mondego Green Park]The Prince Henry Exploratorium arose from an initiative that the Portuguese stateimplemented in the 1990s of creating centres for initiating the general population into science.It was established in 1995 as a nonprofit association by the University of Coimbra and theSchool of Science and Technology, which are its principal members. Its first premises werein the Coimbra Municipal Cultural Centre (Casa Municipal da Cultura). In 1998, it becamepart of the network of Live Science Centres as a pluridisciplinary centre, and in 2000 it wasrecognized as a public interest organization. In 2009, it moved to a building of its own, onthe left bank of the Mondego Green Park, with a main exhibition room dedicated to therelations between the basic sciences and health. The building has an auditorium, anexperimentarium and a cyberspace, as well as a shop and a cafeteria. There are alsoworkshops where the modules to be exhibited are built. Outside, there are several installationsand modules, as well as a small planetarium, a bus for thematic exhibitions and pedagogicalvegetable gardens. On the right bank of the Green Park, the Exploratorium has two glasscubes: the Cubic Orchid (Orquídea ao Cubo), an interactive orchid garden, and the CubicSun (Sol ao Cubo), with activities related to astronomy.Tuesday to Sunday: 10 a.m.–5.30 p.m. Closed between 1.15 and 2.15 p.m. from 15 July to15 September.

Mondego Swimming Pools[Mondego Green Park]These outdoor swimming pools are located on the left bank of the Mondego Green Park.There are 2 pools, one of 23x16 m and 1.20 m in depth, and the other 7x7m for children.Daily, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. (Summer).

Sá da Bandeira Garden[Av. Sá da Bandeira]This garden is situated in the middle of the Sáda Bandeira Ave., and was begun as part ofan 1885 project for the urbanisation of theQuinta de Santa Cruz, which included a publicwalkway with gardens. These were entrustedto Prof. Júlio Henriques of the Botanic Garden.They were inaugurated in 1889, but onlyfinished in 1928, after alterations by thelandscape gardener Jacinto de Matos. Theponds where some ducks swim leisurely,attract pigeons, sparrows, pallid swifts, blackredstarts and long-tailed tits, which fly from treeto tree. The flowerbeds, under the shade ofplane trees, American magnolias and Norfolkpines, display arrangements of pansies, roses,geraniums, daisies, primroses and thale cress.Bus lines: 1A, 5, 7, 11, 24 & 29

Coimbra Student Union(Associação Académica de Coimbra)[Rua Padre António Vieira]The beginnings of the Coimbra Student Union,the largest in the country, date back to 1836/1837, when the Drama Academy was founded(charter of 1837). The main building,constructed during the period of fascist ruleknown as the ‘New State’, houses severalsports and cultural departments, as well asautonomous organizations. All the students ofthe University of Coimbra are members of theunion.Bus lines: 1A, 5, 7, 11, 24 & 29.

Gil Vicente Academic Theatre[Av. Sá da Bandeira]Inaugurated in 1961, it is one of the mostemblematic institutions of the University andof the city of Coimbra in the area of thepromotion and dissemination of culture.Throughout the years, it has provided animportant support to the cultural and artisticactivities of some of the departments andorganizations of the Coimbra Student Union.It is a vital cultural reference for Coimbra andsurrounding region. The Café-Teatro is opento the public, and provides a relaxing view ofthe Praça da República.Monday to Friday: 9.30 a.m.–12.30/2 p.m.–1a.m. Saturday and Sunday: 2 p.m.–1 a.m.Bus lines: 1A, 1F, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 24 & 29.

Praça da RepúblicaA quintessential meeting point, the RepúblicaSquare is one of the most central places in thecity. Surrounded by cafes and bars with seatingoutside, on weekends and festive occasions itteems with people who start the night there.Bus lines: 1A, 1F, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 24 & 29.

Santa Cruz Park / Sereia Garden[Praça da República]Popularly known as the Sereia (Mermaid)Garden, this dates from the 18th century andwas once part of the grounds of the Santa CruzMonastery. The entrance is a triumphal archtopped by 3 statues representing Faith, Hopeand Charity, flanked by 2 turrets with baroquedecoration. It has a rich variety of animals andplants, such as the European lime, the elm,the hybrid black poplar, the sweetgum and theJudas tree. There is also a colony of midwifetoads, so called because the males carry thefertilised eggs on their backs. The park hasseveral beautiful nooks decorated withmagnificent tile panels, as well as fountains andwaterfalls. The yard once used for the “jogoda pela” (an ancient game played with a ballwhich is one of the precursors of tennis) andthe Walnut Fountain (Fonte da Nogueira) withthe statue of a triton are worthy of notice.Bus lines: 1A, 1F, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 24 & 29.

Municipal Cultural Centre(Casa Municipal da Cultura)[Rua Pedro Monteiro]It houses the Municipal Library, a children’slibrary and didactic playroom, the municipalImage Library and Music Library. The centrealso has a conference room, a multi-purposeroom and several exhibition rooms, as well asa section for the visually impaired, a periodicals

Santa Cruz Park / Sereia Garden

Gil Vicente Academic Theatre

Sá da Bandeira Garden - Monument to the 1stWorld War Deaths

Coimbra Student Union’s Garden

Santa Cruz Park / Sereia Garden

Sá da Bandeira GardenSá da Bandeira Garden

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collection, a reading room, the Office of the City’sHistory, a gallery of donations and a film andvideo library. Many of its areas offer access tothe Internet.Municipal Cultural Centre: from 15 July to 15September, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.–7.30 p.m.;

Sá da Bandeira Garden

16 September to 14 de July, Monday-Friday, 9a.m.- 7.30 p.m.; Saturday, 1.30 p.m – 7.00 p.mSunday & public holidays.Coimbra Municipal Library: 15 July to 15September, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.–12.30/2–6.30 p.m.; closed Saturday, Sunday & public

holidays; 16 September to 14 de July, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.–7.30 p.m.; Saturday, 1.30–7 p.m.Closed Sunday & public holidays.

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Monastery of Celas[Largo do Mosteiro de Celas/Rua Manso Preto]This convent was founded in 1213 by Dona Sancha,daughter of Sancho I, the second king of Portugal.Restoration work carried out from the 16th to the 18th

centuries altered the original outline, except for thechurch (circular in shape), the choir, the chapterhouse and the cloister. This, with its figurative capitalsfrom the late 13th and early 14th centuries, isconsidered one of the finest Gothic cloisters inPortugal.Monday to Friday: 3–6 p.m. Closed Saturday, Sunday& public holidays. Open to worship.Bus lines: 6, 7, 7T & 29.

Miguel Torga House Museum[Praceta Fernando Pessoa]Former residence of the writer, devolved to theCoimbra municipality by his daughter (including thefurnishings). In addition to the library and some ofMiguel Torga’s personal objects, the house will hosta Centre of Torga Studies (see Coimbra of Writers).Monday to Friday: 2.30–6 p.m. Open Saturday onlywith pre-booking and for a minimum of 10 visitors.Bus lines: 4, 37, 42 & 103.

Penedo da Meditação[Roundabout of streets Dr Afonso Romão and AfrânioPeixoto]Secluded from the city bustle, this rocky spot perchedover an open and quiet valley provides a viewpointover the city. The few trees that can be found includethe fig tree, the elm, the olive tree and the Mexicancypress (cupressus lusitanica), around whichrobinets and common buzzards flutter. This spot onceinspired poets such as José Régio, António Nobreand Eugénio de Castro.Bus lines: 37.

Heróis do Ultramar Olympic Complex[Praça Heróis do Ultramar]Close to the City Stadium, this complex includes theOlympic Swimming Pools and a Multisports Pavilion,sometimes used for cultural events. The swimmingpools are equipped for training and competition(including international high performancecompetitions in a 50 meter pool), and have seats for670 spectators and 505 swimmers, as well as alounge and a cafe.The Pavilion has a 50x30m arena with floating woodsurface for practice or competition of indoor sports,such as handball, basketball, volleyball, futsal,skating and gymnastics, among others. It seats 2,239spectators and has places for the handicapped. Thepremises include three gymnasiums, 8 locker rooms,a parking garage and two cafes.Swimming Pool Complex: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m.–11.30 p.m. Saturday, 7 a.m.–8 p.m. MultisportsPavilion: Monday to Sunday, 8 a.m.–midnight.Subject to change depending on schedule of events.Bus lines: 7T & 37.

City of Coimbra Stadium(Estádio Cidade de Coimbra)[Rua D. Manuel I]It has four levels with a total of 30,000 seats. Theplaying field has natural grass with syntheticreinforcement underneath, allowing for intensive usein soccer and rugby. It is also equipped with outdoorand indoor athletics tracks, two warm-up rooms, twogymnasiums and a Judo training centre. The buildingincludes several business and shopping areas.Monday to Sunday: 8 a.m.–11 p.m. Subject to changedepending on schedule of events.Bus lines: 11, 11C, 24 & 34.

Church of São José[Rua Combatentes da Grande Guerra]The project for the Parish Church of S. José [StJoseph], by the architect Álvaro da Fonseca, datesfrom 1953, and the building was completed in 1957.The statues inside the church (of St Joseph, OurLady and the Via Sacra) are by the sculptor MariaAmélia Carvalheira.The outside sculptures (the angels and St Joseph)are by Nicolau Bertoni. The Parish Hall and theFuneral Chapel (1976) were designed by thearchitect Sampaio. The landscape architect ManuelCerveira designed the arrangement of thechurchyard (1978). In the interior, a stained glasswindow by Monsignor Nunes Pereira stands out.Daily, 8.30 a.m.–8 p.m. Open to worship.Bus lines: 11, 11C, 24 & 34.

City of Coimbra Stadium Heróis do Ultramar Olympic Complex

You can also find nearby:

Municipal Theatre Workshop (Oficina Municipal de Teatro)[Rua Pedro Nunes]Inaugurated in 2003, the building has outside walls covered with transparent polycarbonate on opaque canvas, reflecting the surroundingurban landscape. The open space inside, without a predefined stage, favours close contact with the audience, as if it were part of theperformance. In addition to this central area for performances, there are two foyers, shops, a rehearsal room, an anteroom for the controlpanels, an office and an exhibition area.Teatrão, a children’s theatre company, is the resident company.Bus lines: 24, 34 & 33.

Monastery of CelasMiguel Torga House Museum