This previously abandoned Gothic church reopened after more than a decade of restoration. The Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha, or St. Claire-the-Older, was founded in the 14th century as a convent on the left bank of the Mondego River, but due to periodic flooding was abandoned in 1677. The restored church also has a visitor center and a cafe.
Coimbra University is one of the oldest continuously operating institutes of higher learning on the Iberian Peninsula. Partly housed in the old Royal Palace, it also boasts one of the most stunningly beautiful campuses in all of Europe. Places of exceptional beauty include the Palace Gate, Main Square, Sao Miguel Chapel, the Grand Examination Room and the Botanical Gardens. No tour of the campus is complete without a peek inside Joanine Library, whose lavish interior replete with gilded Baroque molding and trompe-l'oeil paintings will take your breath away.
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