Coimbra

Coimbra is a historic university city on the Mondego River in central Portugal, home to one of the oldest universities in the world, founded in 1290. The Alta (upper town) is dominated by the university precinct, the Baroque Library (Biblioteca Joanina) being among the most ornate in the world, and the old cathedral, the Sé Velha, dating to the 12th century. Coimbra Fado, distinct from the Lisbon style and traditionally performed by male students in black capes, originated here.