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The best of Coimbra
The city of Coimbra has many attractions in addition to the university. The city in itself is a monument and the student life, one more motive for not stopping visiting this charming city.
Library of Coimbra
Museu Machado de Castro: This museum receives its name of the sculptor of the S. XVIII Joaquim Machado de Castro, one of the sculptors of the S. XIX with major fame of Portugal and native of the city. It is placed in the buildings that were lodging the Episcopal Palace between the S. XII and the XVIIIth. It includes a big collection of valuable sculptures, paintings and gold work as the Treasure of Reina Santa Elizabeth.
The University of Coimbra: Founded concerning 1290. One of its biggest claims is the Library of the University decorated with wood carved in green, red and golden tones. The Library serves nowadays like museum and account with approximately 300.000 volumes.
Or Jardim Botânico: Founded like integral part of the "Natural history museum" in 1731 for the Marquess of Pombal, this garden is considered to be one of the most beautiful botanical gardens of Portugal. He is worth visiting it, it will only cost you between 1,5 and 2 € and you have the possibility of realizing the free or holding a permit visit. The visits schedule is of 9am to 5:30 pm/9am-12pm; 2:30-5pm, depending the area of the facilities. Also you can visit its web page.
I know Velha
I know Velha: The Old Cathedral of Coimbra is known as I Know Velha. It is a question of a Romanesque temple founded in 1162 for the Bishop Miguel Salomão, after Alfonso I the Conqueror declared out King of Portugal. Although one of the most important buildings of the Romanesque Portuguese, I Know Velha it combines other styles, like the Gothic in its Cloister, or the Renaissance man of the Chapel of the Holiest Sacramento.
Chapel of San Miguel: It is, I join the Library, other of the claims that the University of Coimbra offers. He emphasizes its style front manuelino, the main reredos with golden size, in that we find paintings reporting Christ's life. Very attractive also for praise tiles that decorate its walls. And like added jewels, the organ of 1733 and the baroque sculpture of Saint Catarina, boss of the students.
