{"id":24530,"date":"2023-09-29T10:52:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-29T08:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fromplacetoplace.travel\/?p=24530"},"modified":"2023-09-22T12:23:39","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T10:23:39","slug":"sights-in-coimbra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fromplacetoplace.travel\/portugal\/regiao-centro\/sights-in-coimbra\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Sights in Coimbra"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to Coimbra, the capital of Portugal \u2026 not the current capital, but the capital of the years 1139 to 1256. 48 hours in Coimbra were barely enough for us to discover the lively student city properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

A good 200 kilometres from Lisbon <\/a>and about 100 kilometres from Porto<\/a>, Coimbra is located on the railway line that connects these two cities. For us, the ideal place for a stopover during our journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Coimbra\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The city stretches along both sides of the Rio Mondego. However, many day visitors are only in the right half of the city, which rises steeply on the bank. Our tip – split the 2 days and visit the other side of the river as well. It is worth it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coimbra’s history<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The history of Coimbra is marked by different cultures. Its beginnings date back to Celtic times, but it was under the Romans that the place became known as Aeminium and served as a connecting point on an important road between Lisbon and Braga. The foundations of the aqueduct, rebuilt in the 16th century, and the cryptoporticus foundations under the old episcopal palace date from this period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Conimbriga, a nearby town, was destroyed by the Suebi, Aeminium took over their role and became the episcopal see. The city was later taken over by the Moors, but played only a minor role in the Muslim world of Al-Andalus. Despite several changes of power between Moors and Christians, it remained an important place in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Coimbra\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Coimbra even became the capital of the newly founded Kingdom of Portugal before Lisbon took over this role. But despite losing this status, Coimbra remained an important centre, especially as a university city. The University of Coimbra, founded in 1290, is a testament to the city’s educational tradition and is the oldest of its kind in Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Coimbra also experienced hard times. The devastating earthquake of 1755 and the conflicts during the Napoleonic Wars left lasting marks on the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the influence of the Marqu\u00eas de Pombal in the 18th century, the University of Coimbra received new impetus and the city also received an economic boost. This was intensified with the connection to the railway network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Herbst<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the 1940s, under the auspices of the authoritarian Estado Novo regime, monumental new construction with many new buildings was built on the university campus, which had a positive effect on the city’s development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the city hardly plays a role economically, but is very popular with tourists due to its rich culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 Sights in Coimbra<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The old town, nestled against the hill of the city, with its narrow winding streets is actually already the most beautiful sight of Coimbra. You can lose yourself here for hours, discovering little shops, feasting in restaurants or admiring the architecture, some of which is truly beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Gassen<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Don’t forget – there are beautiful places to discover on the other side of the river!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Old S\u00e9 Velha Cathedral<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The old S\u00e9 Velha (Nossa Senhora da Assun\u00e7\u00e3o) Cathedral in Coimbra was the episcopal and diocesan church for the region until 1772.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Alte<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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It was built in the middle of the 12th century in the Romanesque style. In 1185, King Sancho I (1154 to 1211) had himself crowned in this church. It is not surprising that he chose this church, as Coimbra was the capital of Portugal at that time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

When we visited the city, there was a large construction site in front of the Old Cathedral. Nevertheless, it was possible to look at the fa\u00e7ade, which is actually quite plain but has an impressive main portal. I was particularly struck by the battlements on the church. They make the building look almost like a small castle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New S\u00e9 Nova Cathedral<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If there is an Old Cathedral, there is usually also a New Cathedral. This is located almost at the highest point, on the Old Town Hill (140 m) of the city near the university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Neue<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Around 1541, the Jesuit order founded its first branch in Coimbra. They spent almost 100 years building and planning the convent complex and their church until everything was completed in 1698.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 1750s, the order was abolished and expelled from Portugal. From 1772, the church then used this building as an episcopal church and thus as the city’s New Cathedral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Coimbra<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In front of the church is a large car park, which unfortunately makes the view of the huge convent complex somewhat unattractive. The church is rather small in relation to the size of the convent. The lower part of the fa\u00e7ade is in late Renaissance style. Here, only four figure niches divide the simple appearance. In the upper part of the fa\u00e7ade, you can see baroque forms that give the church something interesting. I recognise a stone coat of arms, lunettes and small ornamental forms. Very inconspicuous are the bell towers, which are hardly higher than the church building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chorgest\u00fchl\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You can visit the New Cathedral. I found the entrance fee (\u20ac1 in 2022) more than fair. I was very surprised when I stood in the beautiful church. From the outside, it looked like a church with three naves, but it only has one. I particularly liked the side altars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you go through a small door on one side, you enter the small museum with the church treasure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Igreja de S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o de Almedina<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Across the street from the New Cathedral is the Church of S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o de Almedina. It is part of the Episcopal Palace of Coimbra, which now houses the National Museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kirche<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We looked at the fa\u00e7ade as we walked past and then made our way to our actual destination, the National Museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Museu Nacional Machado de Castro<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The National Museum is located in the former Bishop’s Palace of Coimbra, which has been extended with a modern new building. The museum is one of the most important museums of fine art in Portugal. The collection exhibited there includes important sculptures, paintings and decorative arts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 2013, the museum has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the University of Coimbra – Alta e Sofia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Nationalmuseum<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We were not drawn to the museum, but to the inner courtyard, which is open to the public. Here you don’t have a beautiful view over the city. But I was particularly impressed by the stone arches with the fountains in front of them. What a great photo motif.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jardim Botanico<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Botanical Garden of the University of Coimbra is a 13.5 hectare botanical garden in Coimbra. It is said to be the largest botanical garden in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The “Botanical Garden of the University of Coimbra” has existed since 1772 as part of the “Natural History Museum”. Over the years, not only were the grounds enlarged, but plants from other regions of the world began to be planted. Today, visitors can admire numerous plants belonging to the most diverse plant collections, such as tropical plants, various types of daffodils, ornamental plants, leguminous plants and rose plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n