Coimbra, University city in Central Portugal
Coimbra is a city in Central Portugal that rises across several hills along the banks of the Mondego. The narrow lanes of the upper town lead to viewpoints, while the lower town shows wider streets with shops and cafés.
The settlement served as the capital of the Kingdom of Portugal during the Middle Ages before Lisbon took over this role. In the 13th century, the university moved permanently to the city after it had previously shifted between different locations.
The name derives from the Latin word Conimbriga, which designated the Roman settlement nearby. On the slopes above the river, residents preserve traditions like the Queima das Fitas, a student celebration at the end of the academic year featuring ribbons in different colors representing each faculty.
The best time to visit is in the morning when the lanes are less crowded and the light is favorable for photos. The steep slopes require comfortable shoes, especially if you plan to walk between the upper and lower town on foot.
The Joanina Library hall houses bat colonies that fly through the rooms at night, hunting insects that could threaten the old books. The animals are a natural part of the collection's preservation system and have lived there for centuries.
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