Coimbra College
Coimbra University is home to the magnificent Joanina Library, St. Michael Chapel, and Exam Chamber, just a few of Portugal's treasures that are a must-see. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Coimbra University receives over 200,000 tourists annually. We particularly enjoyed mingling with the "beasts" during our visit.
We had the pleasure of meeting the youth of Portugal during our visit to Coimbra. We arrived on the day the new students were initiated, and we watched as "the animals" or "the beasts" paraded through the streets. These first-year students are not allowed to wear the iconic black cape of the college until they become sophomores. Their initiation rite includes a baptism in the cold waters of the Mondego river. It's hard to believe that this prestigious university, founded over 700 years ago, did not admit women until 1891. We applaud the first female student enrolled in Coimbra, Domitila de Carvalho, who answered why she wanted to attend the university with, "Because we can!"
Mural Tile at the Entrance of Coimbra University Bookstore
Dinner
Menu Grilled Sea Bream
or Leitao (roasted suckling pig)
Wine and desserts
Restaurant Solar do Bacalhau
10. Portuguese trade in the Far East also influenced the language development of the countries they traded with. What are 10 words in Bahasa Indonesia derived from Portuguese words?
George Mendes' recipe for leitao is featured in his book, My Portugal. In case the link has expired, you can find the recipe by checking out this book from the library.
