About Coimbra or Walls of Coimbra specifically the Almedina Arch or Small Almedina Arch

Category: Civil Architecture > Enclosure

District: Coimbra > Coimbra > Coimbra > Alta

Roman Origin

Coimbra, originally called Æminium, gained importance after the decline of neighboring Conímbriga.

5th Century AD

Conímbriga was sacked by Germanic peoples, leading many of its inhabitants to move to Æminium.

Muslim Rule

During this period, Coimbra's wall reached almost 2 kilometers, with several gates and towers.

Christian Reconquest

Coimbra became the capital of the County of Portugal with D. Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, who reinforced the city's defenses.

Heart of the Walled City

Foundation

Created in 2003, this interpretation center offers a detailed understanding of the history and evolution of the walls and castle of Coimbra.

Visits

Visitors can explore the remains of the medieval fortifications.

Points of Interest

Largo D. Dinis

Old Castle

Site where Coimbra Castle was located, with the Keep and Hercules Towers.

Monument to D. Dinis

Statue in homage to the king, founder of the General Studies, sculpted by Francisco Franco.

Betrayal Gate

Description

Disguised gate used for escape or secret entry during sieges.

Location

At the top of the Couraça de Lisboa.

Wall Tower

Current Function

Former watchtower transformed into a viewpoint.

Couraça de Lisboa

Route

Follows the line of the old wall, connecting the Upper to the Lower part of the city.

Panoramic View

Vision

Offers a clear view of the Mondego River and the Santa Clara plateau, essential for the defense of the city.

Couraça da Estrela

Details

Section of reinforcement to the old wall, with cylindrical buttresses.

Belcouce Gate and Tower

Construction

Built in 1209 by D. Sancho I, partially demolished in 1715 for the founding of a college.

Engenho Tower, D. Joana Tower

Defensive Set

Part of a set of towers and the Barbican, with a defensive mechanism inside.

Almedina Tower and Arch

Main Access

Main gate of the medieval city, originating from the Islamic occupation and headquarters of the Heart of the Walled City.

Barbican Arch

Manueline Style

Ogive arch with a sculpture of the Virgin and Child, reinforcing the defense of the wall.

Casa de Sub-Ripas and Contenda Tower

Residential Adaptation

Old defensive tower converted into a residence in the 16th century.

Anto Tower

Heart of the Guitar and Fado of Coimbra

Old medieval tower, now a museum dedicated to fado and the guitar of Coimbra.

Couraça dos Apóstolos and Santo Agostinho Enclosure

Remnants of the Wall

Part of the medieval wall visible along Rua do Colégio Novo.

Torres do Chimico

Location

Behind the old Chemical Laboratory, currently the Science Museum of the University of Coimbra.

Classification and Access

Classification

The Coimbra Fence and the Almedina Arch are National Monuments since 1910.

Access

Almedina Tower

Rua Ferreira Borges, near the Barbican Gate.

Anto Tower

Rua de Sub-Ripas.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porta_e_Torre_de_Almedina

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt