Welcome to Coimbra!

Culture & Traditions The Central Region has a history of 2 thousand years in a surprising natural scenery bathed by the Atlantic and where diversity reaches its goals. We could never forget the University of Coimbra,one of the oldest of Europe, founded in 1290 by D.Diniz. Here tradition runs deep and black-caped students sing their own brand of fado, the soulful song form. The Joanina Library of the University of Coimbra from 1720 is an ex-libris of baroque art.

Mondego River University Part of Downtown

Welcome to Montemor-o-Velho

Municipality of Montemor-o-Velho The date of foundation of Montemor-o-Velho is lost in time. Some historians say it´s origin dates back to 1900 b.c., to King Brigo I, known as the king of Spains. However, this is considered a legend. In Arab times it was called Monte Malur and in 1091 the name changed to Montemaior. It is situated between Coimbra and Figueira-da-Foz. Montemor- o-Velho is an old village whose vestiges date back to pre- historic times and has played since the beginning of time an important strategic and economic role. The Municipality of Montemor-o-Velho occupies an area of 235 km2 and is spread out by its 14 parishes.The leading protagonist of this landscape is the Mondego River which crosses it from east to west.It can be admired from the battlements of the castle. It is undeniable that this Municipality contains such natural richness in diversity that it is considered almost unique in the country. From the castle´s battlements,turned to the south you can admire endless streets, lanes, stairs, passages and allies.

Mondego River The Mondego River appears as the main agent of natural influence of the population, where in time a harbour existed and was visited by many boats. Today, in its (former )old bed there is a course of blue water, sailed by rowing boats. There are corners in the river well known to cat-fish fishermen. On a gastronomic level cat-fish is an ex- libris of the region to be preserved.

Sightseeing Touristic attractions in Montemor- o-Velho are the Zoological garden, where the animals walk around almost freely, the Castle of Montemor-o-Velho where we can get to know a little about our History and throughout which we can observe a breathtaking landscape of the whole region, namely of the Mondego River in its new bed that passes far along ( thanks to repairs in the last 20 years ), the Mondego Fields and the old bed of the same river that characterizes this region and that becomes a great potencial to explore, both touristicly and sportingly.