Coimbra, Portugal

Coimbra is a city in the Central region of Portugal. It was the country's first capital and has one of the oldest universities in Europe. Although it is no longer the country's capital today, it is one of its largest tourist centers and one of its largest university cities.

Located on the banks of the Mondego River, also known as the "river of poets", Coimbra has around 150 thousand inhabitants (33 thousand of which are students). The famous university of Coimbra, founded in the Middle Ages, is the oldest in Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe, and attracts a population of students that make it a very lively city.

 

Sights

Late Medieval.
Poplar grove.
Commercial of Coimbra.
Esplanade of the Coimbra Forum.
Eurostadium City of Coimbra. One of the stages of Euro2004.
Memorial of Sister Lucia.
Viewpoints of Santa Clara.
Machado de Castro National Museum.
Paul of Arzila.
Rock of Longing.
Portugal of the Little Ones.
Farm of Tears.
Mondego River.
University of Coimbra.
Valley of Canes.

Parks
Botanical garden.
Mermaid Garden.
Manuel Braga Park and Mondego Green Park.

Churches
Convent of Sta. Clara-the-Old.
Convent of Sta. Clara-a-Nova.
Church of Saint Anthony of Olivais.
Monastery of Celas.
Monastery of Santa Cruz.
New Cathedral.
Old Cathedral.

 

Things to do

Boat trip on the Mondego River, aboard the "O Basófias", or the City Tour in a Tuk Tuk

University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal. Admire the view over the Mondego River before visiting the University of Coimbra complex. The entrance fee is 12 euros and includes a visit to the Royal Palace, Chapel of São Miguel, Joanina Library, Chemical Laboratory and College of Jesus, Experimental Physics Gallery and Natural History Gallery. These places are worth visiting, but the Joanina Library is undoubtedly the greatest treasure of them all. Built by King D.João V in the Baroque style, it is one of the most beautiful libraries in the country. R$12.
Restaurant Sete, Dr., R. Martins de Carvalho nº 10, 3000-274 Coimbra, Portugal, +351 919 138 777 ✆. Restaurante Sete is a new proposal in the city of Coimbra and is located in the "downtown" of Coimbra, very close to one of the most emblematic squares in this city, Praça 8 de Maio.

Fado
Coimbra fado was born in the city, at the hands of students and is unmissable. The Coimbra guitar is the typical instrument used to play fado.

Student Life
There is always a lot going on in the student community, find out what is going on. Every year two major festivals take place:
Trellis.
Burning of the Ribbons.

If you lose
The center of Coimbra is a fantastic place to get lost, Coimbra is a big city and full of interesting things.

 

Getting here

Distances
208 km from Lisbon
121 km from Porto

Air
The city does not yet have an airport, but it does have an airfield that seeks to guarantee national connections (Bissaya Barreto Airfield) and maritime links, thanks to its proximity to the port of Figueira da Foz, which is the most central port between the cities of Lisbon and Porto and serves the city of Coimbra.

In terms of international airports, the closest is Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto, approximately 130 km away. The country's main airport, Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon, is 180 km away. Although both are more than a hundred kilometers apart, the existing road and rail infrastructures allow Coimbra to be connected to each of the airports in just over an hour and a half.

There is an intention to transform the Monte Real Air Base, in the municipality of Leiria, into a civil international airport, with a view to serving the Beiras region, which, if done, would place Coimbra only about 60 km from an international airport.

Highways
In the center of the country's spine, Coimbra has a strategic location with road connections to the A1 motorway that connects it to the north and south of the country and also to the A14 that connects it to the neighboring city of Figueira da Foz, the largest seaside resort in the Edges. The city is also served by the IP3 which connects it to Viseu (and to Guarda via the IC12 or IC6) and by the A13 which connects it to Tomar. There are no direct highway connections to the interior of Rio Grande do Sul, a fact that has been the subject of debate in the region over the years, as the majority of Rio Grande do Sul's municipalities are located in the interior. The city is partially surrounded by two ring roads, an inner ring road, known locally as the "hospital bypass", to the northeast of the city center and an outer ring road which, despite its name, is practically already included in the city center, and which includes, among others, Avenida Mendes Silva, Avenida Fernando Namora and Avenida Elísio de Moura.

Railways
It has rail links to the north and south via the Alfa Pendular fast train. Regional services run the Coimbra-Aveiro routes; Coimbra-Entroncamento and Coimbra-Guarda and the suburban route is limited to the Coimbra-Figueira da Foz section. The CP Regional Coimbra-Serpins suburban service was discontinued following projects to introduce a light surface metro, which planned to connect the municipalities of Coimbra, Miranda do Corvo and Lousã, with possible extension to the municipalities of Góis and Arganil through the use of the channel opened at the beginning of the 20th century and never used. The alternative since 2010 has been bus connections, resulting from a partnership between CP — Comboios de Portugal and Metro Mondego, until the metro connection is ready.

It has two railway stations:
Coimbra B or Old Station
Coimbra, Coimbra A or New Station

And also the following stops within its urban area:
Bencanta
Ademia
Vilela-Fornos
Swordswoman
Couples
Taveiro

The following stopping points and stations, which served the extinct Ramal da Lousã and are within the urban area of ​​the city, are now deactivated:

Ceira Station
Coimbra-Park
Coimbra-Saint Joseph, Saint Joseph (Calhabé) or simply Saint Joseph
Oak trees
Conraria

 

Transport around the city

Most of what there is to see or do in Coimbra, as well as most places to eat, go out or sleep, are close to each other and the train station. The city is also well served by a bus network from SMTUC

There are several interesting places around Coimbra, the best way to visit these places is using your own car, or by Tuk Tuk.

 

Buy

The traditional and medieval "Baixa" of Coimbra has an unusual capacity for attraction for our times. Thousands of people and countless clothing stores, bookstores, perfumeries, cafes, sweet shops, restaurants, etc. gather here.

In Coimbra you can also find three large shopping centers: 'Coimbra Shopping', 'Alma' (formerly Dolce Vita) and 'Fórum Coimbra'.

Throughout the city you can find several regional products of interest, the most emblematic and sought after of which is the "Louça de Coimbra".

 

Eat

It is not difficult to find a place to have a meal in Coimbra, the city has plenty of options. Order Chanfana, Suckling pig à bairrada, octopus or cod tibornada, lamprey rice. As for traditional sweets, try Tentúgal Pastries, Santa Clara Pastries, Pear Cheesecakes, White Manjar, Coimbra Ruffs, Nun's Belly and Rice Pudding.

Economic
There are three large shopping centers in Coimbra that offer a large quantity and diversity of fast food. These are easy to find, however, they are located outside the tourist areas.

For students there is a large selection of canteens offering good food at good prices. The "Verdes" (next to the monumental stairs), the "Mermaid" (at the top of the Mermaid Garden) and the university stadium canteen are among the best.

Scattered throughout the less busy streets of the center of Coimbra, there are also several taverns that can provide an interesting gastronomic and cultural experience. The best known among the university community is 'O Pinto', located in the 'alta'. Rua Direita is known for its taverns.

Average
La Fiesta The La Fiesta Restaurant, located in downtown Coimbra, on Rua do Carmo next to Terreiro da Erva, specializes in Valencian Paella, but also offers a wide range of options when it comes to Portuguese cuisine. Calm and pleasant environment with personalized service. Tel: 239821246 Mobile: 914080717
Italia, an Italian restaurant in the city park, has a beautiful room overlooking the Mondego River and a terrace in the city park.
Zé Manel dos Ossos is one of the most famous restaurants in Coimbra. The unique atmosphere experienced inside the restaurant justifies its fame. The walls are covered in pieces of paper with messages left by customers and the restaurant looks like the modern descendant of a medieval tavern. The good food on offer also justifies a visit. The 'Bones' and 'Pigged Mushrooms' delight locals and tourists.
Taberna - This is a good place to try 'chanfana', one of the most famous dishes in the Coimbra region. It is located next to the Municipal Stadium.
O Telheiro - This restaurant is definitely worth a visit, it's unbelievable: lots of good food at good prices. Interesting concept of desserts. It is a good example of Portuguese hospitality. The only negative aspects are the inevitable difficulty in getting a table and the location outside the city center (next to Coimbra B station)
Corn Flour - In Ançã. A very beautiful restaurant that serves some of the best Portuguese food. It is located in a restored water mill in Ançã. Located a short 10 minutes from Coimbra.
Esplendoroso - Chinese restaurant located on Rua da Sota (behind the Hotel Astória). Surprisingly good at affordable prices.
Restaurante Marisqueira Munich - Restaurant with a large menu and where you can eat very well. Located on Rua do Brasil at the foot of C.C.Dolce Vita. With seafood always fresh every day.

Splurge
Quinta das Lágrimas - the hotel restaurant may not be the best in town, but it is certainly the most expensive. Don't forget to dress appropriately.
Gengibre is a modern and elegant restaurant that challenges your palate with interesting dishes. Located next to the Church of Sto António dos Olivais.

 

Drinks

Drink and leave
There is a lot of quality wine in the areas around Coimbra, Bairrada wine is a reference, as is Dão wine.
What do they drink here? Beirão Liquor! Originally from the region, you shouldn't miss out on drinking it.

The bars around Praça da República are, in general, the busiest. They are filled with academic spirit during class time. There are several options in the city, some of them:

Fado ao Centro - A place of worship to listen to Fado de Coimbra every day during the day, from 11 am. www.fadoaocentro.com
Bar a Capela is a modern fado bar, housed in an old chapel, and is a fantastic place to listen to Coimbra fado.
Diligencia Bar - Another bar where you can listen to fado, this one more typical.
Salão Brazil - Restaurant and bar where you can often watch shows, especially during the weekend. Fado, popular music and Jazz.
BAAC - Bar of the Academic Association of Coimbra - restricted to students. Next to Republic Square.
Look for me - bar near Republic Square.
The bars at "Parque Verde do Mondego" are a fantastic place to have a drink all year round, with spacious terraces by the river during spring and summer.
Alex's Bar - Cozy place with several themed parties, Erasmus meeting point and the best hits of the moment

Insomnia Bar - On Av. Sá da Bandeira, with Karaoke on Wednesdays and Saturdays!

Theatrix - Avenue of the Saviors
Noites Longas - Alternative nightclub close to Praça da República (Rock and metal).
NB - Nightclub next to the Judicial Police and the monumental stairs
Vinyl - Nightclub near the center, a trendy place (Electronic, house, techno)

For those looking for an alternative to student nightlife:
Ocean's bar - Themed bar with contemporary decor. Tribute to the oceans displaying 10,000 liters of salt water. Cells. Ocean's Bar Coimbra

There are also EXCELLENT bars in the Sé Velha region (all very close to the Sé), such as:
Cabido Bar - Erasmus meeting point.
RS - very good taste in Sé Velha
Anvil - Shots and Rock'n'Roll
Don't forget to visit them and drink their famous "Shots"

TAGV - Gil Vicente Academic Theater Café - Republic Square,
Feito Conceito - Avenida Alexandre Herculano - Praça da Republica - A bar with a different concept and customers with a more alternative style.

 

Hotels

Economic
Hotel Comfort Inn Almedina Coimbra, Av. Fernão Magalhães, 199, (+351)239 855 500 ✆. geral@almedinacoimbra.com
Grande Hostel de Coimbra, Rua Antero Quental nº 196, next to Praça da República (center of Coimbra), tel (00351)239 108 212. A new space in a house over 100 years old with a garden with sun all day long. Overnight stays range from €18 in dormitories to €40 in a double (price per room). Being a hostel, its target audience is "backpackers" but all travelers or tourists are welcome. A place not to be missed in Coimbra. Free Wi-Fi, lockers and maps. www.grandehostelcoimbra.com
Hotel Ibis Coimbra, Emidio Navarro n°70 Topazio Building, (+351)239 852 130 ✆. The Ibis Coimbra hotel is located in the city center, on the banks of the Mondego River, 300 m from the train station and close to several tourist attractions such as the historic neighborhoods of Coimbra or the Convent of Santa Clara and the Conímbriga ruins. Book one of our 110 air-conditioned rooms and take advantage of our 2 meeting rooms for seminars and conferences, 24-hour bar, restaurant and paid covered parking. Business guests can take advantage of Wi-Fi internet access.
Gouveia Residential, João de Ruão Street, No. 21 – 1st floor, (+351)239 829793 ✆, residencialgouveia@gmail.com. Residencial Gouveia is located in the heart of downtown Coimbra. The Portuguese city with the greatest university tradition, just a stone's throw from the bus station and train station, close to the Palace of Justice and the Church of Graça and right in front of Pingo Doce. It is an excellent compromise between comfortable rooms and affordable/economical prices. It has rooms with WiFi and air conditioning (optional) and allows reservations to be made on the official website. Does not include food service.

Average
Condeixa-a-Nova Inn - Santa Cristina, Charming Inn, Francisco Lemos Street
3150-142 Condeixa-a-Nova, +351-239 944 025 ✆, fax: +351-239 943 097, recepcao.stacristina@pousadas.pt. The town of Condeixa-a-Nova is located on the coastal strip of the central region of the country, just 12 km from Coimbra, the main city in the central region and close to the renowned Roman ruins of Conímbriga.

Hotel Oslo Coimbra, Downtown Coimbra, tel. +351 239829071, . Modern hotel located close to the train station and the city's main attractions. It was recently renovated. The staff is friendly and the view is interesting.
Hotel Astória, a hotel in the city center, facing the Mondego River, has been an architectural symbol of the city since 1926. It was on the balcony of this hotel that Gen. Humberto Delgado, an anti-fascist candidate in the 1950s, saluted Coimbra.
Hotel D. Inês, located in Baixa, is a modern three-star hotel. Hotel Dona Ines

Splurge
Farm of Tears, tel. +351 239802380, . With four stars, it is the most charming hotel in the city, with a spa, an excellent restaurant and several other services - located in the historic farm where Inês de Castro mourned her love.
Tivoli Coimbra, four-star hotel located in the city center. Tivoli Coimbra
Palace Hotel do Bussaco - Five-star hotel, 30 km from the city, is an old palace located within the majestic Buçaco forest.

 

Security

Coimbra is, overall, a very safe city.

 

Health

The city is known for being a reference in the country's health sector. It has several central hospitals, including the HUC (Coimbra University Hospitals), the Covões Hospitals, the Coimbra Pediatric Hospital (to be opened in 2010), the Bissaia Barreto maternity hospital and the Daniel de Matos Maternity Hospital. In addition to these, it also has a mental health and psychiatric hospital, Sobral Cid. Both in the city and in the surrounding areas, there are several health centers and health extensions, which provide more basic health care.

 

Daily life

Coimbra, a riverside city in central Portugal and the country's former capital, is home to a preserved medieval old town and the historic University of Coimbra. Built on the site of an ancient palace, the University is famous for its Baroque library, the Biblioteca Joanina, and its 18th-century bell tower. In addition to its rich historical heritage, Coimbra is also a hub of innovation, being home to specialized advertising and marketing agencies, notably SEO specialists who help to project the city onto the digital scene. In the old town is the 12th century Romanesque cathedral, Sé Velha.

 

History

A city of narrow streets, courtyards, steps and medieval arches, Coimbra was the birthplace of six kings of Portugal, from the First Dynasty, as well as the country's first university and one of the oldest in Europe.

The Romans called the city, which stood on the hill above the Mondego River, Eminium. Later, with the increase in its importance, it became the seat of a Diocese, replacing the Roman city of Conímbriga, from which its new name was derived. In 711 the Moors arrived in the Iberian Peninsula and the city was renamed Kulūmriyya, becoming an important trading post between the Christian north and the Arab south, with a strong Mozarab community. In 871 it became the County of Coimbra but it was only in 1064 that the city was definitively reconquered by Fernando Magno de Leão.

Coimbra was reborn and became the most important city below the Douro River, capital of a vast county governed by the Mozarabic Sesnando. With the County of Portucalense, Count D. Henrique and Queen D. Teresa made it their residence, and it would be in the safety of its walls that the first king of Portugal [citation needed], D. Afonso Henriques, would be born, who made it the capital of the county, replacing Guimarães in 1129.

In the 12th century, Coimbra already had an urban structure, divided between the upper city, called Alta or Almedina, where aristocrats, clergy and, later, students lived, and the Baixa, where commerce, crafts and riverside neighborhoods lived. popular.

Since the mid-16th century, the city's history has revolved around the history of the University of Coimbra, and it was only in the 19th century that the city began to expand beyond its walled core, which even disappeared with the reforms. carried out by the Marquis of Pombal.

The first half of the 19th century brought difficult times to Coimbra, with the occupation of the city by the troops of Junot and Massena, during the French invasion and, subsequently, the extinction of the religious orders. However, in the second half of the 19th century, the city would recover its lost splendor — in 1856, the first electric telegraph and gas lighting appeared in the city, in 1864 the railroad was inaugurated and 11 years later the railroad bridge over the river was built. Mondego.

With the University as an unsurpassable reference, student movements emerge from this, whether political, cultural or social. Many of these movements and entities did not survive the passing of the years. Others still vigorously resist the passing of the years. From the University emerged and still remain fully active today, first the Orfeon Académico de Coimbra, in 1880, the oldest choir in the country, the Associação Académica de Coimbra itself, in 1887, the Tuna Académica da Universidade de Coimbra, in 1888. With the presence In three centuries and with immense social and cultural importance, the Orfeon Académico de Coimbra has represented the country all over the world, on all continents, taking Portuguese choral music and Fado de Coimbra to the entire world. In the area of ​​University Theatre, we can highlight TEUC — Theatre of the Students of the University of Coimbra. This autonomous body of the AAC of the University of Coimbra is the oldest University Theatre group in Europe in continuous activity. It was founded in 1938 by Prof. Dr. Paulo Quintela and Dr. Manuel Deniz-Jacinto, was the second theater school in Portugal from which numerous actors of the Portuguese cultural scene emerged, and has always been characterized by its role of cultural resistance. TEUC has presented its shows throughout Europe, Africa and Brazil, having received numerous decorations and awards throughout its history. Even now, today, TEUC continues to win awards at various university theater festivals, both in Portugal and abroad. Over the years, countless other organisms have emerged.

On April 26, 1919, she was made an Officer of the Military Order of the Tower and Sword, of Valor, Loyalty and Merit.

 

Education

Coimbra is often called the "City of Knowledge" or "City of Students", mainly because it has one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe — the University of Coimbra (UC) is the heir to the General Study requested from the Pope by King D. Dinis and a group of Portuguese prelates in 1288, and which would obtain pontifical confirmation in 1290, having initially established itself in Lisbon. After a turbulent itinerary between Lisbon and Coimbra during the 13th and 14th centuries, the university would establish itself permanently in Coimbra in 1537, and King D. João III ceded the royal palace itself for its facilities. These facilities were acquired by the University during the reign of Philip I, and have since been known as Paço das Escolas. Today, the University of Coimbra has approximately 21,000 students, with some of the most selective and demanding academic programs in the country, a high number of accredited research units, and around 10% of foreign students from 70 different nationalities, making it the most international of Portuguese universities.

Currently, the entire Alta Universitária and Rua da Sofia (where the University was founded) are undergoing a modernization process as part of the recognition of the University of Coimbra as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every Alta will undergo an intervention that will make it more pleasant, more beautiful and more dynamic. It is also there that the European University Court will be created, in an unprecedented initiative in Europe.

Coimbra is also home to the oldest and largest student association in the country — the Associação Académica de Coimbra, founded on 3 November 1887. This organisation represents all students at the University.

In addition to the well-known University of Coimbra with its 8 faculties, there are many other public (such as the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra and the Higher School of Nursing of Coimbra) and private (Vasco da Gama University School, Miguel Torga Higher Institute) schools and institutes of higher education. , Instituto Superior Bissaya Barreto (ISBB), University School of Arts of Coimbra), which means that the city has a total of around 35,000 higher education students.

For centuries, Coimbra was chosen by a large number of young people from all corners of Portugal to pursue higher education, as it was the only Portuguese university. Even today, despite the existence of a vast network of higher education in Portugal, the city enjoys some of this status inherited from the past, which is not unrelated to the diverse offer in the various fields of education, but also the recognized quality and prestige of most of the courses at the historic and emblematic University of Coimbra, as well as its famous student environment and the vast academic tradition associated with it.

The city also has a large number of public and private primary and secondary schools, some of which are among the best in the national ranking — Escola Secundária Infanta Dona Maria (the best in the country in public education), Escola Secundária de Avelar Brotero (public) , São Teotónio College (private education), Rainha Santa Isabel College (one of the best in the country in private education), José Falcão Secondary School (public), Dom Duarte Secondary School (public), Dom Dinis Secondary School (public ), Jaime Cortesão Secondary School (public) and Quinta das Flores Secondary School (public).

 

Climate

The city of Coimbra has a Mediterranean climate according to the Köppen-Geiger climate classification. In winter, temperatures vary between 15 °C during the day and 5 °C at night in the coldest month, and can reach 0 °C during cold waves, while in summer, temperatures fluctuate between 29 °C during the day and 16 °C at night, and can reach 40 °C. and even surpass. The highest and lowest temperatures recorded in Coimbra in the period 1971–2000 were 41.6 °C and -4.9 °C. However, there are records of -7.8 °C in 1941 and 42.5 °C in 1943.

 

Culture

Museums

The largest museum in Coimbra par excellence is the Machado de Castro National Museum next to the New Cathedral, housed in the Episcopal Palace of Coimbra. Considered one of the most important museums in the country, it has important collections of painting, sculpture, goldsmithing, ceramics and textiles.

The university also has museum collections of rare value, including the collections of scientific instruments from the 18th and 19th centuries at the Physics Museum, and the collections of Anthropology, Zoology, Botany and Mineralogy at the Natural History Museum. Recently, these collections were grouped together in the Science Museum of the University of Coimbra, which is one of the most important science museums in Europe.

Also noteworthy is the Coimbra Municipal Museum, comprising several facilities: Chiado Building, Almedina Tower, Anto Tower, City Hall and Inquisition Building.

Coimbra is also a city of art, with 31 art galleries spread throughout the city, which received more than 200,000 visitors in 2003.

 

Music

As one of the first capitals of Portugal and home to the oldest Portuguese university, Coimbra has been an important musical centre for centuries. Historically, the Sé Nova, the Monastery of Santa Cruz (founded by D. Afonso Henriques) and the University (with music classes since 1323) were the main centers of musical production and practice. D. Pedro de Cristo and Carlos Seixas are leading figures in Portuguese music, along with the names of D. Pedro da Esperança, D. Francisco de Santa Maria, D. Heliodoro de Paiva, Fernão Gomes Correia, Vasco Pires, Mateus de Aranda, Pedro Thalesio or José Mauricio.

Coimbra fado is closely linked to academic traditions and is characterized by a guitar with its own structure, configuration and tuning. Names like Adriano Correia de Oliveira and Zeca Afonso, singers and poets who resisted the dictatorship, revolutionized traditional Portuguese music. It is also linked to Fado in Coimbra that we have the most emblematic Fado house; The àCapella Cultural Center. In an old 18th century chapel. XIV, every night the best musicians of the current fado scene come together: Nuno Correia da Silva, Ricardo Dias, Nuno Botelho, Bruno Costa and others give us the best of fado!

In contemporary light music, particularly in genres such as rockabilly and blues, several names associated with Coimbra emerge. Examples of these are JP Simões, Legendary Tiger Man (Paulo Furtado, lead singer of WrayGunn), WrayGunn and Bunnyranch.

Currently, the city has several music training centers, at various levels, including the Coimbra Music Conservatory, the Diocesan School of Sacred Music and the Degree in Artistic Studies at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Coimbra.

Coimbra is still considered a "city of corals", due to the high number of this type of formation in the city. Among the academic choirs, the Orfeon Académico de Coimbra, the Mixed Choir of the University of Coimbra and the Chapel Choir of the University of Coimbra stand out. Other active groups are the Choir of the Former Orpheonists of the University of Coimbra, the Choir D. Pedro de Cristo, the Choral Poliphonico de Coimbra and the Coro Aeminium.

In terms of repertoire and/or training, there are also more specialized groups such as the Capela Gregoriana Psalterium, the Coro Vox Etherea, the Grupo Vocal Ad Libitum or the Coro dos Pequenos Cantores de Coimbra.

The Academic Orfeon of Coimbra (OAC) is one of the most illustrious representatives of the city, the University and the Academy. In its 130 years of history, it has maintained a recognized presence on the city and country scene. It is the oldest active choir in Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe.

This organization, which is older than the Academic Association of Coimbra itself, has seen the passing of numerous important names from the country's cultural, political and social life. Icons of Coimbra Song such as Luiz Goes, José Afonso, Fernando Machado Soares, Sutil Roque and Fernando Rolim, to name just a few, were part of the OAC.

Until 1974 it was an exclusively male choir, and in that year it began to admit female members in order to better adapt to the student reality.

OAC is known for the numerous tours it has done across 4 continents. Furthermore, it has represented Portugal at the highest level at the Europália 91 Festival, at Expo'98, at UNESCO, and was the first Portuguese choir to sing in St. Peter's Basilica.

Today it continues its activity with around 50 choristers, students from Coimbra, and continues to take choral music, Coimbra songs (Fado de Coimbra), and popular music to the whole country and abroad.

On the other hand, the role of women in music at the University of Coimbra was recognized in 1956 by the Mixed Choir of the University of Coimbra (CMUC), the oldest active mixed choir at the Academy.

In fact, until then, women were not allowed to participate in musical groups, with the Mixed Choir of the University of Coimbra being a pioneer.

Throughout its 50-year history, CMUC has served as an example to other university choirs, which have ended up giving in to the presence of women at the University and becoming mixed.

Today, the Mixed Choir of the University of Coimbra is made up of around 70 members and stands out from the other choirs in the city for its promotion of Coimbra music, striving to promote composers from the city of Coimbra, in addition to the typical music repertoire. popular and erudite, national and foreign.

Highlighting the recently released CD "Miserere", which brings together the work of Francisco Lopes de Macedo and José Maurício, the first of which has not been sung since the 19th century.

Another unavoidable icon of the Coimbra musical, cultural and academic scene is the Orxestra Pitagórica. Not only because of their seniority, but, above all, because they represent the most genuine thing that should exist in a student from Coimbra: critical spirit, irreverence and a very good disposition, this is a group that leaves an indelible mark on the students' time in Coimbra. The first performances of the Orxestra Pitagórica date back to the end of the last century. In 1981, shortly after the founding of the Fado Section of the Coimbra Academic Association, it resurfaced with the primary objective of filling a very serious gap in academic terms, that is, that there was no one capable of saying serious things while laughing, which It is equivalent to saying that academic irreverence was no longer genuinely manifested, that is, that the student had forgotten what is most serious: joy and academic spirit.

Thus, for the 1981 Sarau da Queima das Fitas, the Orxestra Pitagórica was reorganized, resuming the grouping that had once existed within the academy. Equipped with serious instruments such as guitars, accordions, cavaquinhos and mandolins, etc., and very serious instruments, such as toilets, traffic signs, flush toilets, pitchers, umbrellas with bells, etc., the Orxestra Pitagórica launched its repertoire to the public. scenic and musical with a distinctly "gargalhorico" and popular character, giving a student touch to some picturesque songs that are popularly sung throughout this Portugal. In its last 25 years of existence, without interruption, the Orxestra Pitagórica has toured all of Portugal from north to south, islands, and several television programs. Abroad, Spain, France, Italy, Cuba and the Dominican Republic were the countries visited. He twice won the now-defunct Grito Acadêmico Super Bock festival, which only had three editions. He already released a phonographic work called "A2+B2=C2" when he celebrated his first centenary. There is a live DVD that, while not yet released, can be seen on the YouTube platform.

 

Theater

TEUC — Student Theatre of the University of Coimbra (TEUC)
Gil Vicente Academic Theater
Theatre Initiation Circle of the Coimbra Academy (CITAC)
Lusophone Scene
The Night School
The Big Theater
Closed for Construction
Bonifrates
Chameleon
Puppet
Theater — Arzila
Loucomotiva — Taveiro Theater Group
CPT Theatre Group of Sobral de Ceira — Ceira
Convent of Saint Francis

 

Monuments and places of interest

Coimbra is a romantic city, known for the forbidden love between King Dom Pedro and Dona Inês, one of its most memorable episodes.
Aqueduct of S. Sebastião better known as Arcos do Jardim
Joanine Library
Convent of Saint Francis
College of St. Benedict
Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova
Church of Grace (Coimbra)
Church of Santiago
Church of Saint Bartholomew
Church of Saint Anthony of Olivais
Mango Garden
Botanical Garden of the University of Coimbra
Monastery of Celas
Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha
Monastery of Santa Cruz
Episcopal Palace where the Machado de Castro National Museum is located
Sub-Ripas Palace
Portugal of the Little Ones
Old Cathedral of Coimbra
New Cathedral of Coimbra
Almedina Tower
Anto Tower
Farm of Tears
Palace of Schools
Palace of the Quinta of Tears
Ruins of Conimbriga
Memorial of Sister Lucia (Carmel of Coimbra)
Choupal National Forest
Coimbra Municipal Museum
Vale de Canas National Forest
Rock of Longing
Meditation Rock
Portugal of the Little Ones
Coimbra Aerodrome
University of Coimbra
Mondego Green Park
Peter and Agnes Bridge
Joanine Library
Botanical Museum
Central Portugal Pavilion
Coimbra City Stadium
Santa Cruz Park or Mermaid Garden
Coimbra Botanical Garden
Gardens of Quinta das Lágrimas
Exploratory — Coimbra Living Science Center
Science Museum
Miguel Torga House Museum
House of Writing
Farm of Tears
Coimbra Shopping
Alma Shopping
Coimbra Forum
Queen Saint Elizabeth Bridge
Santa Clara Bridge
Coimbra dam-bridge
D. Pedro Municipal Market

 

Academic parties

In addition to the city's festivities in honor of Saint Isabel of Portugal in the first week of July (centered around the municipal holiday on July 4, the feast of Queen Saint Isabel), Coimbra is also known for its academic festivals and traditions.

The first of the two parties is the Latada or the Festival of the Cans and the imposition of badges, which takes place at the beginning of the school year, to welcome new students (freshmen or newcomers). Latadas began in the 19th century when students loudly expressed their joy at the end of the school year in May. They used all objects that produced noise for this purpose, namely cans. It was from the 1950s/60s that the Latadas began to take place, not at the end of the school year, but at the beginning, coinciding with the opening of the University and the arrival of the school population on vacation, which gave the city an eminently academic. Currently, freshmen, incorporated into the procession, wear a personal costume with the colors of their college or their cassock turned inside out, carrying posters with critical captions, alluding to school or national life. The freshmen follow in two parallel lines, with their godparents who must behave in a manner worthy of a Coimbra student, setting an example for the newcomers who are starting out in the Academic Praxe. At the end of the procession through the city streets, the new students are baptized in the Mondego River: "Ego te baptizo in nomine solemnissima praxis".

The second party is the Queima das Fitas, much more important than the first, being the largest student party in Europe, it takes place at the end of the second semester, more specifically in the month of May, starting on the night of Thursday to Friday. fair, with the Monumental Serenade, usually on the steps of the Old Cathedral. It is the biggest student party in all of Europe and lasts 8 days, one day for each faculty of the university (Medicine, Law, Sciences and Technologies, Letters, Pharmacy, Economics, Psychology and Educational Sciences and Physical Education and Sports Sciences). ) and, more recently, an extra day for Alumni. Although there are more festivals of this kind in other cities, the emergence of Queima das Fitas began in 1899 in Coimbra, making it unique in the country. It is the delirious explosion of the Academy, consisting for the Fourth-Year Students and Veterans, in the solemnization of the last university journey, that is, the final journey of Coimbra experience. The Queima das Fitas festivities consist mainly of its traditional program, consisting of: Monumental Serenade, Gala Soiree, College Gala Ball, Pasta Sale (recipes for the Dr. Elísio de Moura Children's Home), "Queima" of the Grelo (which gave the party its name) and the Parade of the Quartanistas, the Tea Dance and the so-called Noites do Parque.

 

Economy and industry

According to 2005 data, the district has 5,441 companies with an annual turnover of EUR 2,318 million, but only 83 are among the thousand largest companies in the country.

In any case, its business sector has been recovering its competitiveness in recent years and there are prospects for the creation of new business locations in the area of ​​the municipality of Coimbra. The city has an emerging high-tech industry applied to health and specialized services in the health area, but also many cutting-edge information technology companies, linked to culture, but also in areas such as defense, aerospace, finance, industry, telecommunications, etc. Some of these technology companies are well-known internationally, such as Critical Software, which collaborates with NASA and ESA and, more recently, with China. But there are many others, such as WIT and Cnotinfor. Coimbra is home to the best business incubator in the world, which has won international awards. There are three regional hospitals in Coimbra: H.U.C. — Coimbra University Hospitals, C.H.C. — Coimbra Hospital Centre (which includes three hospitals: the General Hospital, also known as Hospital dos Covões, the Pediatric Hospital and the Bissaya Barreto Maternity Hospital) and I.P.O. Portuguese Institute of Oncology.

Currently, the city's industrial areas are the Taveiro Industrial Park, the Eiras Industrial Park and the Pedrulha and Eiras Centre.

The city also has a science and technology park — Coimbra iParque — which is also suitable for industrial units. In addition to plots of land for the installation of business units, Coimbra iParque also provides office space, auditoriums, training and meeting rooms in the Leonardo da Vinci business centre — owned by the park's management company.

With a per capita purchasing power of €139.5 (2009), the municipality of Coimbra is ranked 3rd in economic importance, behind the urban areas of Lisbon and Porto.

Coimbra has large shopping centres, such as Coimbra Shopping, Alma Shopping (formerly Dolce Vita Coimbra), Fórum Coimbra and Atrium Solum.

 

Research and technology

The city owes much to the interdisciplinary nature of the University of Coimbra, which keeps it at the forefront of scientific research. The university, mainly through the Pedro Nunes Institute and its business incubator and also the Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), has learned to cooperate with the business community in various areas and has effectively transferred skills to companies. Among the companies created as a result of scientific research carried out at the University (university spin-offs) are Critical Software (software development), WIT Software (software for mobile applications), ISA (telemetry and instrumentation) and Crioestaminal (cryopreservation and biomedicine). Technological innovation in the health sector is one example of this new development model.