|
|
Coimbra At the top of a hill, in the north bank of the Mondego River, it was a strategic place
already inhabited by Neolithic and proto-historical people. It was an important stop of the highway
built by the Romans that united Lisbon and Braga. The Romans called it Aeminium and, a few
kilometres from the south bank, there was a Roman city called Conimbriga. Then Sueves, Alans and
Visigoths came latter. The Arabs were here for more than one century. In 878 was conquered by king
Alphonse III of Leon (Spain). But Conimbriga was constantly castigated by Arab attacks and its
inhabitants abandoned Conimbriga and moved to Aeminium, which took the name Coimbra. The
Arab invasions of Almansour completely devastated Coimbra in 987, and it was rebuilt by the Arabs
themselves in 994. In 1064 was reconquered by Fernando Magno of Castile and Leon.
|
|
|
In 1094, count Henry, the father of the first king of Portugal, made it the heart of the military action against the Arab invasion. Until being replaced by
Lisbon in 1255, Coimbra had been the headquarters of the Portuguese Court and for that the capital of Portugal.
In 1537, the University is settled in Coimbra and since then, it dominates the city life. Since 1546 the mayor is always a University's Professor, so
nothing may bother the University.
Main monuments
Old cathedral
Built from 1140 to 1175 by French architects, it was restored in subsequent centuries, with alterations in Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles.
University
At the top of the hill, from where one can see a nice panorama over Mondego river. A visit to the library must be paid. It was ordered by king John V in
the XVIII century, with a rich decoration in gilt woodwork.
Conimbriga
60 km away from Coimbra, the ruins of old Roman city called Conimbriga are among the best of the Iberian Peninsula.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
