Aveiro and Coimbra
Description:
09:00 Departure from the hotel in Quimbra.
Excursion to Aveiro. The picturesque city of Aveiro, located on the bay separating it from the Ocean, and entangled in a network of canals along which you can move on traditional moliseira boats, is often compared to Venice.
On the way stop in the town of Mealada, which is known for dishes of milk pig and wines of Bayrad. Those who wish can have lunch here.
Tour of Coimbra with a visit to the old University, the monastery of Santa Clara e Nova, a walk through the old town. The historic center of Coimbra is located on a hill, high above the bank of the Mondegu River. Among the sights of Coimbra are many religious buildings. One of them is the monastery church of Santa Cruz, founded in 1131. In this temple are buried the first Portuguese king Afonso Henriques and his heir Sancho. The monks of the monastery of Santa Circle initially took care of the students of the University of Coimbra. Later, the Romanesque monastery fell into disrepair, but was renewed in 1502 by order of King Manuel I. In 1523, a new portal appeared, designed by Diogo de Castilla and decorated with carvings by Jean of Rouen and Nicolas de Chantarin, who also created the tombstones of Kings Afonso Henriques and Sancho. In 1290 the University of Coimbra was founded, the first in the country and one of the oldest in Europe. Today, about 23 thousand students are trained at 8 of its faculties. The University Library is one of the oldest and largest in Europe.
17:00 Return to the hotel