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Coimbra

Posted on Wednesday, 22 July 2009 at 22:21.

The second week of my trip to Portugal was spent travelling around, taking the train from Braga to Porto to Coimbra to Lisbon and back up.

I stayed two nights in Coimbra, the city with the oldest university of Portugal. Amongst other things I visited the university itself, its impressive Biblioteca Joanina and the botanical gardens. I also went to a fado performance in À Capella.

I stayed in Grande Hostel de Coimbra, a place I would return to anytime and can heartily recommend. They are very close to the main square (Praça da Republica), have excellent beds (even for tall Dutchmen), friendly staff, free fast wireless internet and a good kitchen, charging EUR 18 a night. I very much liked the cozy living room that made me feel at ease. The sofa there is awesome.

When I arrived at the hostel they gave me a map and a thorough explanation of where to go, what places to visit, what to look out for, et cetera. One thing I learned is that the map can be deceiving: what appears to be a 5 minute walk actually takes 30 minutes because of the altitude difference. The center of Coimbra is a lot higher than the areas around it.

The escadas monumentais lead up to the university and count 125 steps. The whole city is one big museum, with here and there signs narrating parts of the city's history.	Photos of protesting students remember events that took place 40 years ago.	View of the Rua Venâncio Rodrigues, looking down the monumental stairs.	An old classroom (though still in use).
One of the many sculptures in and around Portugal's oldest university.	The elevator takes pedestrians up and down the city's walls.	Overlooking the Rua da Saragoça and the Rua Guerra Junqueiro.	An esplanada in the Praça 8 de Maio.
Light shines through matte glass in the Rua Martins de Carvalho.	Overlooking the Jardim da Manga (lower right) and the stairs that lead up to the Rua do Montarroio.	Rua Martins de Carvalho at dusk.	The fountain in the Jardim Botânico.
The fountain in the Jardim Botânico.	Praça Joao Paulo II. The street leading towards the houses in the distance is the Rua Alexandre Herculano, leading to the Praça da Republica.

Comments

By Martien on Thursday, 23 July 2009 at 09:14:

Hey Martijn,

Seems you had a really good time in Portugal again. I love your photos. They have a wonderful touch to them—a Quality Without A Name. The light, the setting, the colors, all in harmony, helping each other to create a stunning picture of Coimbra. Already looking forward to your next trip.

Love,

Dad.

Coimbra

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