Reluctantly we left the Douro behind heading to the oldest university in Coimbra, booked for early afternoon. Modern Portuguese highways with strategically placed bridges are a dream; not that I was driving. We found the hotel, somehow managing to negotiate tight concrete ramps, to squeeze into local underground parking. Arriving too early to check in, we abandoned our bags to reception and headed up the narrow, twisting, cobbled streets, past more intricately tiled closely knit buildings to the university; the oldest in Portugal established 1290. My umbrella now for shade!
We explored the touristy ancient seat of learning enjoying spectacular views from the tower, and amazing frescoes in the ornate chapel. My highlight was the library; I was impressed with the ante reading room, but I was blown away by the library – straight out of Hogwarts. Sadly, no photography. No wonder J.K. Rowling referenced it. Sustainable, organic, conservation methods remain in service; a bat colony thriving on wood and book worms! The original, ancient eco-friendly pest control! We ran into a group of students fund-raising in gowns singing Fado acopela, so we bought faculty pens; law, medicine & science for each of the children!
Crossing the river we wandered through the parched park, past the multi-sport event taking place sharing the cordoned path with exhausted triathlon runners, completing their last stretch, back across the iconic foot bridge. Tired, we ate at a tiny Portuguese restaurant behind the hotel. We were treated to highbrow Coimbra fado; male singers in university gowns accompanied by lute and guitar - a much better private performance! An empty restaurant meant we were obliged to consume local cheesecake and enjoy the entire 3 set repertoire!
Photos - just my snaps!
Drive to Coimbra
Coimbra University
Ramblings in Coimbra
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