Coimbra

The tragic love story of Pedro I of Portugal and Inês de Castro is one of the most enduring tales in Portuguese history, combining forbidden love, royal duty, political intrigue, murder and revenge. Their relationship, spanning nearly seven centuries of history and legend, has been immortalized by the extraordinary tombs created for them, while the enduring fascination of their story lies in the mystery of where historical fact ends and legend begins. 

Coimbra is one of Portugal’s most historic cities, combining centuries of academic tradition, medieval heritage and Portuguese culture along the Mondego River. Once the capital of the emerging Portuguese kingdom, the city played an important role in the country’s history and remains known for its ancient churches, narrow streets, traditional Fado and lively student atmosphere. At its heart is the University of Coimbra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s oldest universities, which continues to shape the city’s cultural and academic identity. 

The University of Coimbra, founded in 1290 by King Dinis, is Portugal’s oldest university and one of Europe’s oldest. For centuries, its students, professors, traditions, and historic buildings have shaped Coimbra’s identity, making it a major historic university centre. Today, it remains an important cultural landmark, with its historic buildings forming part of the University of Coimbra – Alta and Sofia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013.