Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Coimbra

Coimbra has been a university town since 1308.  Like many of the other towns and cities that we went to, it is quite hilly.  We took a funicular to the top where the university is and then walked down many, many steps to get back to the river level where the commercial area is located.

Mosteiro de Santa Cruz






On the funicular going up to the university area


the Iron Gate to the main courtyard of the historic part of the university

Statue of King John


The doorway to King John's Library from the 18th century,
holding 30,000 books (no photos allowed inside)


The students all wear Harry Potter-ish uniforms.  There were several sets of students in the plaza to answer questions and also to sell a book of photos since you couldn't take any interior photos.  Each student receives badges according to their studies, where they are from, etc.  They also tear their capes at certain ceremonies to signify different accomplishments. 




On our way back down the hill, we visited the "new" cathedral which was started in 1598.







The World Cup began while we were in Portugal. 
We saw lots of items commemorating Portugal's team.

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