Visiting the region of Central Portugal allows you to explore different places in the smallest details, immerse yourself in the rich history of monuments and characters and appreciate peculiar cultural manifestations. Among places with incredible stories to be appreciated, Coimbra stands out for its university tradition.
As a good Portuguese city, Coimbra was built on the banks of a river and on top of a mountain that separates the upper city from the lower city. The lower part holds precious medieval buildings and narrow streets where trade is concentrated. The high, crowned by the university at its highest point, is the territory of most of the student republics, tourist sites such as the Old Cathedral and the Joanina Library, and also the stage of the main events of the academic life of Coimbra.
Sapientia Books & Wine Hotel is the only hotel located in the Historic Center for those who want to know the university charms of the city. The property is situated in the heart of Coimbra’s Alta, considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The rooftop is one of the hotel’s great attractions as it offers 360-degree views of the entire city, including the traditional and secular University of Coimbra.
With the mission of helping travelers in this fun mission to explore Coimbra university, we have separated 4 unforgettable traditions from this fascinating destination:
1- Academic tunas
Tuna is a musical group formed by university students. It is believed that the word “tuna” came from the name of the city of Tunis, where a known troubadour lived. In fact, the art of trovar is common to the members of the academic tunas: their presentations are filled with songs that exalt the academic culture and, in particular, the Portuguese historical heritage.
2- University Costumes
Portuguese university students wear a peculiar uniform, one of the greatest symbols of the university tradition in Coimbra: a long black cape, tie, social shirt, pants for men and skirts for women. This picturesque look nowadays has made Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling incorporate several of these elements into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft students’ outfits, both in books and films. Already in Portugal, you can see them on the campus of the University of Coimbra, where they are used to this day. Dressing the cloak and cassock of one of the oldest universities in the world is synonymous with prestige.
4- Burning the tapes
Known as the “student party,” it is the occasion when everyone wears college colors and celebrates the end of the school year with great euphoria, and marks a glorious stage of student life. Tourists can also enjoy the atmosphere of joy, fun traditions and special activities, which include concerts, parties and soiree. The celebration begins when the whole Academy wears the costumes and keeps silent to hear the guitars and fado show in front of the Sé Velha staircase.
5- Library Joanina and her guardians unused
Located within the University of Coimbra, this library has a collection of around 200,000 books, with very rare collections from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Protecting this heritage is a real challenge, ranging from strict care with temperature and humidity until the control of pests like moths. To combat this inconvenient insect, the library has curious allies: bats. At night, they feed on the various animals that corrode the papers, keeping all the copies safe.
About the Center of Portugal
The most charming Portuguese region is full of popular destinations: Aveiro, Coimbra, Viseu, Nazaré, Óbidos, Tomar, Fátima and many others. Its beauties extend all over the territory – occupied by 2.3 million inhabitants who have the gift of welcome. The center of Portugal has many UNESCO heritage sites, a coastline that is a surfing paradise, historic villages, rich gastronomy, unforgettable wines, exuberant nature and lots of culture, which add to countless reasons for a visit. The main city, Coimbra, is only 200 kilometers from Lisbon and 135 kilometers from Oporto. For more information, visit www.centerofportugal.com.