Monument to Miguel Torga

Category: Civil Architecture > Monument

District: Coimbra > Coimbra > Coimbra > Alta

Location

This unique monument is located in the city of Coimbra, extending along the left bank of the Mondego River. It is situated in an area that offers direct and peaceful contact with the riverside landscape. Although integrated into the urban area, its position invites contemplation of the river and its surroundings, in an atmosphere of serenity.

A Literary Tribute

The monument pays tribute to Miguel Torga, one of the most notable figures of 20th-century Portuguese literature. A poet and writer, Torga lived and passed away in Coimbra in 1995, leaving a profound cultural legacy. This work is a way of perpetuating his memory and his connection to the city he knew so well and where he practiced his profession as a doctor, enriching the local cultural scene.

Artistic and Symbolic Conception

Inaugurated in 2007, the project was conceived by architect José António Bandeirinha and visual artist António Olaio, who joined forces to create a highly original piece. The monument is not a traditional sculpture, but rather a pathway and an installation that incorporates the landscape itself. The way the letters of the name "Torga" emerge next to the river, creating a discreet yet striking presence, is noteworthy.

The Path and the Landscape

The monument invites a journey that unfolds along a boardwalk. This path, constructed with a combination of stone, bronze, and schist, gently directs towards the water, culminating where the writer's name manifests. The experience of walking it is an invitation to reflection and allows for appreciation of the Mondego landscape, a place that Miguel Torga himself frequently visited during his strolls through the city.

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