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Latest Coimbra hotel reviews
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Ten kilometers south of Coimbra, the best roman ruins in Portugal deserve your visit. The city seems to exist from the 9th century BC, with the Romans arriving 800 years later.
Only less than one third has been already excavated, but some buildings show good mosaics.
Updated Apr 19, 2011
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Left of Santa Cruz church, City Hall has a very controversial history. Formerly installed in a part of Santa Cruz convent, it was not functional, and suffered several transformations, always discussed until the recent version, dating from the 19th century, with a few changes.
Updated Dec 11, 2010
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This avenue connecting the commercial "baixa" with the academic "alta" has no significant detail (well... Avenue Cinema is a classical...), but, maybe because of its importance in moving around, has been embellished with some modern tiles. Nice, but... pastiche.
Don't read anymore, please, but I can't resist to tell a true story lived in Avenida cinema:
In the "bad old days" of dictatorship, before passing the movie all cinemas presented a journal (in Portuguese "jornal", also meaning newspaper) with government's propaganda. One day... a big surprise - no "jornal".
A student in the auditorium shouted immediately:
- Hey guys, the "jornal" is over.
Another one answered immediately from the balcony:
- That happens... clean with your hand!
See? I told you not to read!
Updated Dec 11, 2010
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Pátio da Inquisição or Patio/Yard of the Inquisition is the group of buildings of historical and architectural interest, where the Holy Office of the Inquisition functioned from 1.566 until it finished in 1.821.
How to get there? From Praça 8 de Maio, leave tha Cámara Municipal (City Hall) on your rigth, cross Rúa Olimpo Nicolau Rui Fernandes and turn right along this street, then, turn left taking Rúa Pedro Rocha, and there it is.
Updated Apr 13, 2009
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Anto Tower was formerly called Ameal Tower, and it was part of the city walls in the medieval times. This tower was transformed into a three-storey house at the beginning of the 16th century.
Address: Rúa Sub Ripas.
How to get there: Follow the explanation I gave in the previous tip and cross under the Torre da Contenda (Quarrel Tower), and there it is.
Written Apr 6, 2009
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The Torre da Contenda (Quarrel Tower) was sold to João Vaz in 1.514 who built a palace (Paço de Sobre Ripas)partly over the old tower.
Address: Rúa Sub Ripas.
How to get there: From Rúa Ferreira Borges, croos under Torre de Almedina (on your right) and turn left to Patio do Castilho and keep walking up for a few meters until you reach Rúa Sub Ripas, then, turn left.
Written Apr 6, 2009
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It was founded by King D. João III in 1.543 and it belonged to the Hermits of St. Agostinho.
Address: Rúa da Sofia.
From Praça 8 de Maio, walk along the mentioned street, and you will find it on the right side.
Written Apr 6, 2009
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This College was founded in 1.542 by the Bishop D. Frei Baltazar Limpo, and the Bishop of Portalegre, Friar Amador Arrais had the church built in 1.597.
Address: Rúua da Sofia, 114
From Praça 8 de Maio, just walk along the street (rúa); the church is on the right.
Written Apr 6, 2009
Phone: (+351) 239 82 29 38
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Walking along Rúa Olimpio Nicolau Rui Ferandes, I found these beautiful mosaics representing some icons of Coimbra.
Pics:
- 1st: Universidade (s. XVI a XVIII)
- 2nd: Igreja de Santa Cruz (s. XII)
- 3rd: Sé Velha (s. XII)
- 4th: Sé Nova (s. XVI)
- 5th: Igreja de S. Tiago (s. XII)
How to get there? From Praça 8 de Maio, leave the Cámara Municipal (City Hall) on your right and round the corner, this street shows up. Then, walk for about 200 m., and on the left side of the street, opposite the Mercado D. Pedro V.
Updated Apr 5, 2009
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Now most people miss the Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden) for a reason....Too bad we didn't know that beforehand.
The garden is part of the University of Coimbra, and it is poorly maintained. It was founded in the late 1700s as part of the Natural History Museum. At a size of 13 hectares, it is small enough to explore in a short amount of time. I read somewhere that it is considered to be one of the most beautiful gardens in Europe, but I highly doubt that. I've seen many a beautiful garden in my life, and this was far from my expectations. Flowers at the garden were rather lacklustre.
The garden is divided into a terrace level decorated 18th century European style and an arboretum. I will admit I was impressed with the arboretum as they had a significant collection of worldly tree species. They even had species from Washington State (my home!) - now that was a surprise.
As soon as you walk up to that 18th century center fountain, you will notice it is covered in green scum. Who knows if they've ever cleaned the poor fountain! Look at the color of the water, now that's putrid isn't it? I didn't pay 2 euros to stare at pond scum all day...
Address:
Calçada Martim de Freitas
Updated Aug 29, 2006
Phone: +351 239 822897
Website: http://www.uc.pt/botanica/jardim.htm
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Reviews and photos of Coimbra attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Coimbra sightseeing.
Now most people miss the Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden) for a reason....Too bad we didn't know that beforehand.The garden is part of the University of...
76 members live in Coimbra
Q: Hello outthere. I'll need an advice regarding transportation for my 2 boys, who are going to arrive friday 11th og february at...
A: Hello, to go to Coimbra they'll have both the bus or the train. Look at www.rede-expressos.pt for the bus and www.cp.pt for the trains, both sites have english...
Read 4 Replies
1
Coimbra is another beautiful city in Portugal. It's famous for the Univerity, one of the oldest in the word, but the city offers some other attractiones you should not miss.
2
One of my most memorable moments in Coimbra was an evening spent sipping on fine wine, sitting on a hill looking down on the beautiful city, while listening to wonderful Fado music. Fado de Coimbra......
3
Birthplace of six kings and the seat of Portugal's first university, reputedly the second-oldest in the world, Coimbra's tradition runs deep, with black-caped students swarming the town during term......
4
Coimbra, like many old cities in Europe, boasts an impressive history much of which is preserved and used but is also there to amaze and delight people like me. Both Spain and Portugal have a long and...
5
I cannot lie. Coimbra was a slight disappointment, but not because it wasn't a charming place. The sight of the city rising above the Rio Mondego is worth going out of your way for all by itself....
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