COIMBRA, CITY OF LEARNING

Coimbra, strategic city, founded by the romans on its seven hills, developed by the goths and the moors and captured by the new kings of portugal in the twelfth century, it survives on the university lifestyle and the river produce.

MORE PORTUGAL - SINTRA 2 COIMBRA

AFTER A SHORT INTERMISSION......

THE ROAD from SINTRA is FANTASTIC, WIDE CLEAN DUAL CARRIAGE WAY CLEARLY SIGN POSTED.

ON THE WAY MORE CASTLES, HISTORY AND ROMANCE SEEPING FROM EVERY PORE!

witness above the blue tile work at Obidos - this is 3 metres high and as usual depicts stories of saints and Portugals heroes.

OBIDOS, A FORTIFIED TOWN GIVEN AS A WEDDING PRESENT BY A KING OF PORTUGAL TO HIS WIFE IN ABOUT 1220; WE ARRIVED ON A CARNIVAL DAY WHEN THE WHOLE TOWN DRESSED UP IN SILLY COSTUMES REFLECTING SOME STRANGE MEDIEVAL CEREMONY. THEY WERE INCREDIBLY SERIOUS ABOUT THEMSELVES!

BEING CAPTIVATED BY SINTRA WAS COMPOUNDED BY OUR MOVE TO COIMBRA - THE UNIVERSITY CENTRE OF PORTUGAL. THE VIEW OF THE CITY ON FIRST APPROACH! C'EST SPECTACULAR!

here there are twisting little lanes and spectacular Roman and Moorish arches, aquaducts and city walls.

the portuguese have a remarkable attitude towards children reflected in the preponderance of playgrounds, where all vacant public space is full of play equipment; there is also a complete miniature village for the kids to romp around on, made of reproductions of portuguese architecture from across the world.