UNIVERSITY OF COIMBRA, ONE OF THE OLDEST IN THE WORLD

For those who have had the privilege of visiting Coimbra at least once in their lives, a picture will be for ever imprinted on their memories: that of a mediaeval city of white houses and narrow streets where the old University tower - the ex-libris of the city itself - emerges and stands vigilantly over the lower part of the city, with the Mondego river languidly flowing through the lines of poplars that grow along its banks.

Coimbra played an extraordinary role in the early years of the history of Portugal not only politically but also as a cultural centre. In fact, the University of Coimbra, which actually began its existence in Lisbon under the name Studium Generale (Estudo Geral) and in its early times was little more than a mere extension of the religious orders and teaching, was the first university in Portugal. It was created by King Dinis on March 1st, 1290 through the royal charter, Scientiae thesaurus mirabilis, announcing the institution of the University though efforts had been made at least since 1288 to create this first university in Portugal. The papal confirmation was given through a bull from Pope Nicholas IV (August 9, 1290) who authorised the payment of salaries, granted privileges to schoolmasters and confirmed the teaching of Arts, Medicine, and Canon Law, excepting Theology.

The University of Coimbra was also particularly important during the XVIII century, under King José I, because it is in Coimbra that the intellectual society of the time is educated and will soon force the establishment of the liberal regime that replaced, to a great extent, the nobility and its hereditary privileges.

The centre of the whole complex, known as the "University City", is still nowadays the old Alcáçova Palace, a mediaeval building surrounded by towers; the old tower with its clock of four faces, the "cabra", has been regulating the students' lives over the centuries and therefore became their traditional academic symbol.

A further two exceptional buildings of a more recent construction, however, also make up part of the complex: the Main Library and the Archives. The Main Library comprises two buildings, one of which is the famous Joanina Library, built by King João I and considered a national monument due to its unique architectural beauty and magnificent golden carvings in baroque style. The Archives, in turn, constitute a repository of practically all the university documentation existing in Coimbra dating back to 1525.

Life of the students in this romantic city (either they live in the so-called "Republics", in flats or with their families) is also marked by centuries of bohemian traditions sociologically unique in the country, among which is the use of long black capes as a symbolic uniform; along their edges the students make incisions with scissors, symbolising each subject on their syllabus that they have already passed until graduation.

This romantic mysticism of Coimbra's tradition, and the enchanting "choupal" (the banks of poplars along the river Mondego) have been the background for most poems, songs, legends, and novels inspired by real-life passions that not only marked the Portuguese literature but also influenced the "Fado of Coimbra". Born in this context of romanticism, this typical song is a sort of lyric ballad, accompanied by the mellow trill of guitars, addressed to the young lady, source of inspiration of the singer.

Annually in May, as the academic year draws near, the students of the University of Coimbra who soon will be graduating organize the "Burning of the Ribbons"; these festivities will run for seven days and seven nights, and they are an exhibition of the allegoric traditions that keep the old Coimbra so young.

© Dulce Rodrigues

The photos on this article are a courtesy of TripAdvisor