Joaquim António de Aguiar

Category: Civil Architecture > Estátua

District: Coimbra > Coimbra > Coimbra > Almedina

Location

Located in the historic and picturesque Almedina area of Coimbra, Rua Joaquim António de Aguiar is nestled in one of the city's oldest and most authentic neighborhoods. It is characterized by its traditional layout, reflecting centuries of Coimbran history, and its proximity to the university heart and the city's medieval roots. It is a place that invites a tranquil stroll, where one can feel the pulse of the most genuine Coimbra.

This street, which today honors one of the most prominent Portuguese political figures, was once known as Rua de São Cristóvão, or popularly as Rua do Correio or Rua do Correio Velho. The current name, assigned in 1874, precisely marks the place where Joaquim António de Aguiar was born, establishing a direct and tangible link between the urban space and the memory of a man who marked 19th-century Portugal.

The Legacy of a Reformer

Joaquim António de Aguiar (1792-1874), whose name this street perpetuates, was an indispensable figure in national politics. His life was intrinsically linked to Coimbra from birth, with his law studies at the University interrupted for him to enlist in the Academic Battalion during the French Invasions. This episode demonstrates his civic spirit and his early adherence to the liberal ideas that would shape his career.

Throughout his public life, Joaquim António de Aguiar served several times as President of the Council of Ministers and held various ministerial portfolios. However, it is his action as Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs and Justice that stands out most, particularly the 1834 law that decreed the extinction of religious orders in Portugal and the incorporation of their assets into the National Treasury. A measure of enormous social and political impact, which earned him the nickname "Friar-Killer" and is still a subject of historical debate today.

Memory and Liberal Coimbra

The choice of this street to honor Joaquim António de Aguiar highlights the city's deep connection to figures who decisively influenced the country's direction. His life, shaped by years of study and teaching at the University of Coimbra, and his active intervention in crucial moments of Portuguese liberalism, such as the Siege of Porto, make him a symbol of the resilience and political transformations of the era.

Although he passed away in Lavradio, his wish to be buried in his native Coimbra was fulfilled, and his remains rest in the Conchada cemetery. Visiting Rua Joaquim António de Aguiar is thus an opportunity for those exploring Coimbra to connect with the country's political and social history, understanding how the city's streets preserve the memories of personalities who shaped Portugal's identity.

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