Coimbra, Portugal

25 March 2017

This city had a neat walking tour through old buildings/narrow passageways.  Its big claim to fame was "the University of Coimbra, established 1290, is the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese-speaking world."

This photo shows Tim not liking the leaden gray sky, or maybe it was something else.

Some new pastries to try.  We shouldn't do these things so often, we're not on 6-day holiday, but when the guidebook says try it, we're committed to do it.  It actually was more indulging this time, we made a mistake selecting the right one, and I ended up eating a marmalade and coconut by myself before we asked for the right one:   pastel de Tentú Gal (roll of puff pastry stuffed with eggs and cream - bigger one in front).

Church of Santa Cruz (founded 1131) - the altar has a pyramidal centerpiece, something we'd not seen before.  A lady greeted everyone coming in, asked where we were from, gave us a 2-minute spiel.   We left a few coins (a couple Euro) at her donation box. 

A stand alone monastery cloister with nice garden, medieval origins.  Cloisters, usually part of a church, where the devout, often monks, go to contemplate and pray.

Left photo - a furnicular, this one is like an outside elevator on an inclined track, a great way to avoid climbing the big hill, which we did anyways to work off the pastries.  To the right, an urban garden, well cultivated and maintained.

As we made our way to the University, the guidebook told us to find this fraternity house.  They are known for pranks, and "borrowing" articles from around town to decoration their yard.  See the chunk of plaster hanging next to the balcony on the right - a model of the city; other less bold items like telephones and computer parts hanging from the balcony.  Note the graffiti on the wall:  McDonalds + G8 (top 8 economic powers) = Death.  These students not unlike our rowdy, while socially conscious, college people.

Climbing, climbing, climbing.  See the typical, but amazing, mosaic that's emblematic of Portugal.  Each element a little square stone, either a black or lighter one.

Finally the tour of the campus.  It's actually an organized, pay to get in, walk-around.  We saw another ancient library, but photos not allowed - thousands of ancient books, with shelves 12 foot tall arranged on two levels, master carpentry throughout.  Below it were student dungeons for mis-behavers (no longer used) - they said students would only be held there up to 6 days.

On the walking tour of greater city.  In that tunnel, part of the original city fortress walls, were holes in the ceiling for dumping hot oil on attackers.