World Heritage Photos

The University of Coimbra - Alta and Sofia: Coimbra is situated in central Portugal, between Porto and Lisbon. The city of Coimbra is known for its university, the oldest university in the country and one of the oldest universities in continuous operation in the world. The university was founded in Lisbon in 1290, the university was transferred between Lisbon and Coimbra several times until it was definitively established in the city of Coimbra in 1537. The Royal Palace of Coimbra was purchased by the University of Coimbra in 1597 to house the university. Today, this former palace still serves as the main building of the university, the most important rooms of the University of Coimbra are situated in this former palace, such as the Joanina Library, the Chapel of St. Michael and the Sala dos Capelos or Great Hall of Acts. The 18th century Joanina Library was built in the Portuguese Baroque style, the library houses a great number of precious manuscripts and is now a national monument. The richly decorated Chapel of St. Michael was built in the beginning of the 16th century in the Manueline style. The 17th century Sala dos Capelos was the throne hall of the former royal palace, today it serves as the ceremonial hall. The University of Coimbra - Alta and Sofia - was declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 2013.

www.werelderfgoedfotos.nl   © Copyright   World Heritage Photos   classic car road trip

➔

➔

1. 

   University of Coimbra - Alta and Sofia: The statue of King João III of Portugal in the Pátio das Escolas. The university was founded in Lisbon in 1290, the university was transferred between Lisbon and Coimbra several times until it was definitively established in the city of Coimbra in 1537. The University of Coimbra is the oldest university in Portugal.

2. 

   University of Coimbra - Alta and Sofia: The university is overlooking the city of Coimbra. The Pátio das Escolas, the courtyard of the university, is surrounded on three sides by the buildings of the university, among them the famous Joanina Library. The University of Coimbra - Alta and Sofia, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013.

3. 

   University of Coimbra - Alta and Sofia: The main buildings of the univeristy and the Iron Gate, the Porte Férrea, on the right hand side. The Porte Férrea was built in the 17th century. The gate is decorated with symbols related to the university. On the left hand side the main façade of the university, a former palace, and the staircase leading to the Via Latina, a colonnaded gallery.

4. 

   University of Coimbra - Alta and Sofia: The Chapel of St. Michael was built in the beginning of the 16th century, probably upon the remains of on older chapel. The Chapel of St. Michael was built in the Manueline style. The paintings on the ceiling were created in the late 17th century. One of the most important features of the chapel is the historic organ dating from 1733.

5. 

   University of Coimbra - Alta and Sofia: The Via Latina is the colonnaded walkway in the main building of the univeristy. The Royal Palace of Coimbra was purchased by the university in 1597. Today, this former palace still serves as the main building of the university, the most important rooms of the University of Coimbra are situated here.

6. 

   University of Coimbra - Alta and Sofia: The Sala dos Capelos or the Great Hall of Acts is the huge ceremonial hall and the main room of the university, the place where the important ceremonies of the academic life take place. Originally, this was the throne hall of the former Royal Palace of Coimbra. The University of Coimbra - Alta and Sofia, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage.

7. 

   University of Coimbra - Alta and Sofia: The Capela de Santo António and the Minerva Stairs, the Escadas de Minerva, leading to the Prisão Académcia, the former academic prison. The stairway was created in the 18th century. Nowadays, the Minerva Stairs leads to the visitors entrance of the Joanina Library. The stairway is named after Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom.

8. 

   University of Coimbra - Alta and Sofia: The main entrance of the Biblioteca Joanina, the Joanina Library. The library was a gift of King João V of Portugal in the early 18th century. The former academic prison is situated in the basement of the library, misbehaving students had to spend some time in here. The academic prison was used until 1832.

9. 

   University of Coimbra - Alta and Sofia: The Biblioteca Joanina, the Joanina Library, houses over 60.000 books, most of them are written in Latin before the 18th century. Among them some of the greatest works published in Europe such as a Latin Bible printed in 1462, known as the Bible of the 48 Lines, so named because it has exact 48 lines per page, and the 15th century Hebrew Abravanel Bible, a who survived the Portuguese Inquisition unscathed.

10. 

    University of Coimbra - Alta and Sofia: Coimbra is situated in central Portugal, between Porto and Lisbon, on the banks of the River Mondego. Coimbra is known for its university, the oldest university in Portugal and one of the oldest universities in the world. The university is situated on the highest point of Coimbra, the Alta. Sofia is a street in the lower part of the city.