Coimbra

It's O week for the university and the topmost area of town is crowded with excited students ready to start their academic lives. Students here wear traditional robes over black suits (not sure if this happens all year or just on special occasions).

New students were welcomed as well as tourists. This group performed traditional tunes and serenaded the female onlookers. The singing was beautiful and the high kicking dance moves incredible, ( Check out the Facebook posting for video) followed by serenades.

The university, formerly a palace, was the first in Portugal and is steeped in tradition. Visitors are welcome to roam the public areas and visit the incredible library, chapel and graduation hall which are all still in use. It's amazing to be able to just wander around these buildings, history all around you. I imagine students feel very privileged to be able to come here. 

The library houses books from centuries past and beautiful mahogany, jarrah and oak furniture. A colony of bats reside there to protect the books from insects. Below the library are former prison cells for recalcitrant students. 

The chapel is lined with moorish tiles and ceiling frescos.

The graduation hall also ornately decorated with portraits of previous kings. 

Views over Coimbra.

Apart from the university, Coimbra is a lovely city. Clean and calm after the comparative madness of Porto. 

Of course there are lots of churches, most with impressive tiled walls , compliments of Moorish influence, and entombed bishops. The old cathedral, 1000 years, the new cathedral 500 years, church of Saint this and church of Saint that.

And lots of street art:

Let's not forget the university politics, found is lesser laneways.

Fado music is also popular here and several small venues have their own shows, this one at Cafe Santa Cruz.

Is