Private tours in Oporto & surroundings
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Program
Famous for its university, ceramics and fado music, Coimbra is a quaint town offering winding cobblestone alleys,
commercial plazas and hilltop views overlooking the Rio Mondego. Coimbra, a wonderful mix of centuries of culture, is one
of Portugal's major historic capitals and is divided in the upper part – the Episcopal and University section - and lower part
near the river - the shopping district. From the more modern lower town on the right bank of the Mondego steep lanes climb
to the upper town, with the extensive buildings of the University, on a hill 100m above the river. This University,
rich in history and said to be the oldest seat of learning in Portugal, was founded in the XIII century. Among the most visited
places are the Pátio das Escolas (the main courtyard), the Biblioteca Joanina (library built in the XVIII century, housing
books from the 16th to the 18th century), the Sala dos Capelos (The Grand Hall), the University’s Chapel and the Botanic
Garden. We must take a look at the library, known as one of the most sumptuous university libraries of Europe and a
masterpiece of the Baroque period. The terrace near the Patio das Escolas overlooks the river Mondego and an impressive
view.
Among many other historic buildings worth a visit we have:
- the two cathedrals - namely the Romanesque Sé Velha (imposing, castle-like structure, one of the most important
Romanesque Roman Catholic buildings in Portugal) and the new cathedral (Se Nova from the XVI century).
- the 12th-century Almedina Arch (just off of Rua Ferreira Borges, the gateway to the Upper town).
- the historic Church of Santa Cruz (where the two first Portuguese kings are buried, being the most important monastic
house during the first times of the Portuguese monarchy).
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- the Museu Nacional Machado de Castro (across from Sé Nova, housing sculptures from the 14th and 16th centuries, tapestries, Roman artifacts and other
treasures).
Cafes on Largo da Portagem near Avenida Emídio Navarro overlook a grassy area with flowerbeds and offer a place to watch locals. Or, feel the rapture as
you sip your coffee beneath the solemn looking Igreja Santiago on Praça do Comercio. Many of the restaurants along the main plazas also offer outdoor
seating as well as full menus.
You may wish to stop for lunch and your tour guide will point out a good restaurant. Coimbra is known for its love of pork. Some of its most regional
dishes include 'leitao' (roast suckling pig), 'feijoada' (a bean stew including chouriço, sausage and paprika), and pork knuckle. In Coimbra the 'Chanfana', is
popular throughout the university town. This is a casserole of kid or lamb mean stewed in red wine. The local cakes, called Santa Claras (delicious cream-
filled pastries) are also a local delicacy. Coimbra is centred between the famous Dao and Bairrada wine regions in Portugal. The Bairrada region had been the
home to Portugal's best red table wines.
Coimbra's historic center is full of ancient alleyways. But to feel the atmosphere, the best route is to stroll along the Rua Ferreira Borges/Rua Visconde da
Luz, Coimbra's main shopping street. Shops, galleries, and cafes line Coimbra's streets, including an assortment of bars and wine taverns catering to the
student population of the city. The Arco de Almedina just off of Rua Ferreira Borges is the gateway to the Upper town.
Once you pass through Almedina arch the cobblestones rise to meet you on a consistent upward stretch. About half way up the hill you’ll meet up with
the Quebra Costas (Backbreaker) stairs. Stop a moment to rest before you puff your way onward and upward. The city is best known for its hand painted
ceramics replicating styles from 15th-18th centuries. The best selection is on Rua da Velha, between the Arco de Almedina and the top of the Backbreaker
Stairs.
Continue to XIV century Batalha Monastery, the supreme achievement of gothic architecture in Portugal. Manueline additions in the 15th and 16th
centuries, gave the monastery it's finer detail. Here you can admire the highest church in Portugal.
You should not miss the Royal Pantheon with the tombs of the Portuguese “Conquerors of the Sea” – the so-called “Magnificent generation”, the
remarkable Manueline cloister, the chapter house with guards keeping watch by the tombs of two unknown soldiers and the Unfinished Chapels with an
incomparable Manueline portal.
Continue to Fatima - the center of Christian faith and a local of world's pilgrimage. See the chapel on the place where Our Lady appeared to the shepherds,
the Basilica and the vast square where people crawl on their knees towards the heart of the shrine, in a impressive sign of faith and devotion, lightning a
candle, praying and making a vow to Our Lady or fulfilling a promise. Religious services can be attended. Visit also Aljustrel with the humble houses where
the shepherds lived.
Finally we arrive to XIV century Batalha Monastery, the supreme achievement of gothic architecture in Portugal. Manueline additions in the 15th and 16th
centuries, gave the monastery it's finer detail. Here you can admire the highest church in Portugal. You should not miss the Royal Pantheon with the tombs
of the Portuguese “Conquerors of the Sea” – the so-called “Magnificent generation”, the remarkable Manueline cloister, the chapter house with guards
keeping watch by the tombs of two unknown soldiers and the Unfinished Chapels with an incomparable Manueline portal.
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...This city holds a special place in the hearts of all the Portuguese. Rich in its history and is the oldest seat of learning in
Portugal with a University founded in 1290 by King Dinis, one of the oldest in the world. Six of Portugal’s Kings were born
here and between 1139 and 1256 it was the chosen capital of the country. Old Coimbra sits on a hill on the right bank of the
River Mondego, with the university crowding its summit. Centuries of history lie under a fine mantle of huddled white
washed houses, intersected by endless winding streets, steps, arches and lanes which decorate this beautiful, centuries-old
Upper Coimbra. The city has a few archeological remains of ruins dating from the time it was a Roman town called
Aeminium.With a dense urban grid the city of Coimbra is famous for its monuments, churches, libraries, museums,
numerous parks, gardens, nightlife, health-care and shopping facilities, but above all for its University, which made
Coimbra develop into an important cultural centre and has notable monuments from that era and beyond. Due to its
monumental buildings and history, attracts tourists from around the world...
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...The Catholic Church regards the three parts of the Fatima Secret and the total Fatima message to be important and of great
value to the spiritual lives of its people. It consists only of prophecies about the new condition of the Church in the world....
Fatima and its Secret do present us with something deeply serious, for they bring us face to face with the mysteries of eternal
life. Fatima is undoubtedly the most prophetic of modern apparitions. Faith and prayer are forces which can influence history
and that in the end prayer is more powerful than bullets and faith more powerful than armies...
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...In the XIV century, king Ferdinand died without a male heir to the throne; this originated the most significant civil war in
Portugal, involving England and Spain. The winner, king John I, ordered the construction of this Monastery in homage to
his victory and to be his Royal Pantheon. In fact, he started also what would become known as the “Magnificent
Generation”, those Monarchs who gave the impulse and consolidated the gigantic Portuguese Empire. The Monastery was
to be the Portuguese monarchy's main building project for the next two centuries. Here a highly original, national Gothic
style evolved, profoundly influenced by Manueline art...
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