COIMBRA, PORTUGAL - MAY 29, 2016: University library in the Europe's oldest university in Coimbra

LITERARY COIMBRA

In Coimbra, literature does not live only in books. It inhabits the streets of the historic University Quarter, the centuries-old halls of the University, the homes where writers once lived and the places where successive generations gathered to think, write and exchange ideas.

  • View of Coimbra, a riverfront city in central Portugal and the country’s former capital, is home to a preserved medieval old town and the historic University of Coimbra

    A CITY WRITTEN BY MANY VOICES

    Coimbra’s relationship with literature spans centuries and generations. Writers such as Eça de Queirós, Antero de Quental, António Nobre, José Régio, Miguel Torga, João José Cochofel and Manuel Alegre, among many others, have all left their mark on the city.

    Some were born here, others came to study at the University of Coimbra, while others chose the city as their home. Each found in Coimbra a place for learning, exchange and creativity, forging a connection that lives on through their work and the city’s cultural memory.

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    MIGUEL TORGA’S COIMBRA

    Miguel Torga chose Coimbra as the city in which to live and practise medicine, developing a deep and lasting connection with it. The house where he lived, now the Miguel Torga House Museum, preserves personal belongings, documents, photographs, first editions and other records of his life and work.

    The writer’s presence can still be felt across Coimbra, from his former medical practice in Largo da Portagem to the streets, landscapes and everyday scenes that appear throughout his writings and diaries. Coimbra was far more than a temporary stop for Miguel Torga; it was a place of life, inspiration and literary creation.

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    A HOUSE DEVOTED TO WORDS

    Near Coimbra’s Old Cathedral, in the heart of the historic University Quarter, Casa da Escrita occupies the house where poet and essayist João José Cochofel was born. Closely associated with 20th-century Portuguese literature and the Neo-Realist movement, the author remains an important part of Coimbra’s cultural and literary heritage.

    Today, Casa da Escrita promotes writing, books and reading through exhibitions, literary gatherings, presentations and other cultural initiatives. It is a place where the city’s literary memory meets new forms of creativity and dialogue.

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    AMONG BOOKS AND LIBRARIES

    Within the historic University of Coimbra complex, the Joanina Library stands as one of the city’s greatest symbols of knowledge and learning. Built in the 18th century, it houses thousands of historic volumes in a remarkable Baroque setting, distinguished by gilded woodwork and richly painted ceilings.

    This literary heritage continues through the General Library of the University of Coimbra, the faculty libraries, the city’s bookshops and the second-hand booksellers of downtown Coimbra. From rare editions and pre-owned books to emerging voices, Coimbra remains a city where reading is woven into everyday life.

Where to stay in Coimbra

Discover Sapientia Boutique Hotel and enjoy a privileged starting point from which to explore Coimbra’s culture and heritage.

Located in the historic centre, next to the University of Coimbra, the hotel occupies three historic buildings and combines literary inspiration, an intimate atmosphere and a rooftop with views over the city.

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