With a 2001 population of 148,000, Coimbra is the principal city of central Portugal, serving once as the capital of the country (from the 1139 to 1260). Coimbra is also home to one of the oldest universities in Europe. Eclipsed in size by Porto and the much larger Lisbon, Coimbra is still considered to be the main seat of learning in Portugal.
The University of Coimbra is the main tourist attraction in the city. The school is on a hill around a large main square, and below it is the gateway to a baroque chapel. The most notable attraction is the library, which offers a collection of over 300,000 books on display in 3 main rooms on the shelves made of exquisite woods. The beautiful painted ceilings are also a wonderful feature of the library. Another major highlight of the university is the eighteenth century botanical garden, which is spread out on 32 acres, and is the fifth oldest in the world and be known as one of the most beautiful of all Europe.
Coimbra was one Aeminium Roman city, and many important archaeological sites still exist, including an aqueduct and a Roman cryptoporticus very well-preserved. The next Conimbriga has some exceptional Roman ruins, including well-preserved walls of the city.
There are also some fine museums in Coimbra, including the City Museum in Building Chiada and the National Museum Machado de Castro, who is named for the famous sculptor Joaquim Machado de Castro, and is housed in the former palace of bishops. This museum is regarded as one of the largest in the country.
Coimbra comes alive at the beginning of May to "burn the festival of student films, as well as" the festival's parade student Tin Can "in November.
Monday, November 30, 2009
