Coimbra is located in central Portugal. Known as one of Portugal’s biggest crossroads, Coimbra serves as the principal motorway or freeway in Portugal. The freeway connects Lisbon, Porto, and other important cities in the region. This location makes Coimbra the center of educational, commercial and industrial activities in the district. Coimbra is regarded as the chief city of the whole central area in the country.Find out more about Coimbra
Next to Braga, Coimbra is an important city outside the Lisbon and Porto Metropolitan Areas. The city is famous for its churches, monuments, museums, libraries, shopping facilities, parks, nightlife, healthcare, and most significantly its rich cultural life. The major center of Coimbra’s culture is the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe. Famous writers, artists, and members of the academic world walked the hallways of this university.
Education in Coimbra
Coimbra is also recognized as A cidade dos estudantes, or the city of students, mainly because the University of Coimbra is found here. This is a public university that was established as early the 13th century. It is one of the oldest and largest universities in Portugal.
Today, the university has students coming from 70 different nationalities; nearly 10% of the total student population consists of foreigners, making the University of Coimbra one of the largest international universities in Portugal.
Over the years and until now, students from various parts of Portugal travel to Coimbra to get higher education because of the wide variety of degrees offered in different fields in the prestigious university and other educational institutions. The students also choose to stay in Coimbra because of its student-friendly environment and rich cultural heritage.
Besides the University of Coimbra, there are also other reputable schools and institutes of higher education in the city. These are the following:
- Instituto Politecnico de Coimbra – a public polytechnic institute;
- Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra – a public nursing school;
- Instituto Superior Miguel Torga;
- Instituto Superior Bissaya Barreto;
- Escola Universitária Vasco da Gama; and
- Escola Universitária das Artes de Coimbra- an art school.
The city also has a number of public and private, basic and secondary schools, as well as several pre-school (kindergarten and nursery) establishments.
Coimbra Economy
With the surge of the students wanting to have a higher education, the University of Coimbra is the biggest income generating institution in Coimbra. The city has a total student population of 35,000, 23,000 of which are enrolled in the University of Coimbra. These students not only pay their tuition fees and other university expenses but also patronize the city’s shopping malls and restaurants, and spend for transportation, medical or health care, housing, entertainment, and other commercial services.
Moreover, Coimbra has many private clinics, medical offices, and two state hospitals. The city also has a national cancer center, a military hospital, and a state-run forensic science institute.
There are notable industries that are based in the municipality which highly contribute to the growing Coimbra economy such as:
- software companies;
- cement factory;
- pan-European service facility;
- pharmaceuticals;
- ceramics;
- food processing;
- textiles and wine;
- handicraft;
- forestry;
- horticulture;
- vineyards; and
- livestock.
The Baixa or downtown Coimbra is the most visited area in the municipality. It has many bakeshops, coffee houses, and other specialty shops selling all kinds of indigenous products from the area. Large commercial facilities can also be found in the downtown area. Shopping centers, supermarkets, restaurants, and movie theaters are very popular to locals and foreign visitors alike.
Coimbra Culture (Festivals)
- Latada or Festa das Latas – Festa das Latas or The Tin Can Parade is a student festival that is held every opening of the school year. This festival is celebrated to welcome new university students. It is also known as a homecoming parade.
Back in the 19th century, Coimbra students celebrated finishing school by making as much noise as they could. They felt the need to express their excitement and joy for finishing school in the loudest or noisiest manner possible. They banged tin cans or anything they could get their hands on that would make a lot of noise as they paraded down the streets of the city.Today, the festival is done at the beginning of school year. The highlight of the festival is a parade of the students wearing different costumes through the streets. The march culminates in the Mondego River. In this river, students are “baptized” to signify their entry into the Coimbra academic fraternity.
- Queima das Fitas – Queima das Fitas or The Burning of the Ribbons is another student festival or celebration. This takes place at the end of the second semester. This is when the biggest student parties in all Europe are held. It lasts for eight days.
Coimbra turns to a lively and vibrant city during this period. Students enjoy their carefree celebration with series of street parades, concerts and performances, sports activities, parties, and gatherings. Local residents and tourists take part in this celebration as well.
Tourism in Coimbra
Coimbra is among the most frequently visited municipalities in Portugal. Most of the tourists are young adults who have heard about or have experienced the energetic student festivals Coimbra have.
Visitors who prefer the conventional way of relaxing also finds Coimbra a good vacation spot. The city has well-landscaped parks, playgrounds, and gardens. Not far from the city are plenty of mountain and river landscapes.
There are inexpensive and locally owned hotels for budget travelers or backpackers in the city. While, the upscale clientele can choose from a number of international chain of hotels to stay in, Coimbra also offers camping parks for nature lovers.
The Conclusion
Coimbra is a city of young people. It is vibrant and bustling with activities. The municipality successfully centered its culture and economics in the pursuit of higher education and the youth. Many students today learn not only inside their classroom but in the streets of Coimbra but the University of Coimbra continues to offer academic excellence to students from different parts of the world.
Today, Coimbra is a highly commercialized city in Portugal. Major business players have already built their office branches and have high hopes for the growth of their industry in the city.
More Information about Coimbra
- National Name: Republica Portuguesa
- Government: Parliamentary Democracy
- Monetary Unit: Euro
- Languages: Portuguese (official)
- Population: 137,212 (for the year 2007)
- Number of Parishes: 31
- Region: Centro
- Subregion: Baixo Mondego
- District or A.R.: Coimbra
- Land Area: 319.4 square kilometers
- Municipal Holiday: Holy Queen Isabel, July 4
- Sports: football, basketball, volleyball and rugby