Centro is a broad NUTS II region of mainland Portugal stretching from the Atlantic coast to the Spanish border, anchored by the historic university city of Coimbra. It encompasses the mountain wilderness of the Serra da Estrela (mainland Portugal's highest range), the Roman ruins of Conimbriga, the pilgrimage town of Fatima, the canal city of Aveiro, and the big-wave surfing coast around Nazare. Centro pairs deep history with dramatic landscapes, from cliffside fishing villages to granite peaks and pine forests.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Centro.
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1
Founding and growth of Conimbriga
The Romans expanded a pre-existing Iron Age settlement into Conimbriga, which grew into one of the largest Roman towns in Lusitania, with forums, baths, and elaborate mosaic-floored villas before being sacked by the Suebi in 468 AD
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2
Christian reconquest of Coimbra
Ferdinand I of Leon and Castile retook Coimbra from Moorish rule, establishing it as a key frontier city of the emerging County of Portugal
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3
Coimbra serves as capital of the Kingdom of Portugal
Following Portugal's independence under Afonso Henriques, Coimbra functioned as the kingdom's political capital for over a century before the court relocated to Lisbon
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4
University of Coimbra established
King Dinis founded Portugal's first university in Lisbon in 1290; it moved back and forth before settling permanently in Coimbra's Paco das Escolas in 1537, becoming one of the oldest universities in continuous operation in the world
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5
Construction of Alcobaca, Batalha, and the Convent of Christ
The Cistercian Alcobaca Monastery (12th-13th c.), the Gothic Batalha Monastery (begun 1386 to commemorate victory at Aljubarrota), and the Convent of Christ in Tomar (Knights Templar headquarters, expanded during the Age of Discoveries) rose as the region's great UNESCO-listed monuments
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6
Battle of Bussaco
Anglo-Portuguese forces under Wellington defeated Massena's invading French army on the wooded ridge of Bussaco, a turning point in the Peninsular War, commemorated today by a military museum in the Bussaco forest
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7
Marian apparitions at Fatima
Three shepherd children reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary at Cova da Iria, leading to the construction of the Sanctuary of Fatima, now one of the world's most visited Catholic pilgrimage sites
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8
Founding of the Museu Nacional Machado de Castro
Coimbra's former episcopal palace, built atop the Roman cryptoporticus of the ancient forum, was converted into a national museum showcasing sculpture and decorative arts spanning Roman to modern periods
Historical sites
Places where Centro's past comes alive.
Ruínas de Conímbriga (Conímbriga Roman Ruins)
Where: Condeixa-a-Velha, near Coimbra
Admission: Adult: €4 including Monographic Museum (approx $5 USD) | Child: Free for children under 14; free for Portuguese residents Sun/holidays
Universidade de Coimbra e Biblioteca Joanina (University of Coimbra & Joanina Library, UNESCO)
Where: Coimbra
Admission: Adult: €13.50 general ticket including Joanina Library (approx $16 USD) | Child: €6.75 ages 7-18 (approx $8 USD); free under 7
Sé Velha de Coimbra (Old Cathedral of Coimbra)
Where: Coimbra
Admission: Adult: €2.50 (approx $3 USD) | Child: Reduced rate for students/seniors; free for young children
Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha (Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha)
Where: Coimbra
Admission: Adult: Approx €3 (approx $3 USD) | Child: Free/reduced for children and students
Mosteiro da Batalha (Batalha Monastery, UNESCO)
Where: Batalha
Admission: Adult: €6 single site; €15 combined ticket with Alcobaça and Convent of Christ (approx $7 / $17 USD) | Child: Free under 12; free for all Sun/holidays until 2PM
Mosteiro de Alcobaça (Alcobaça Monastery, UNESCO)
Where: Alcobaça
Admission: Adult: €6 single site; €15 combined ticket with Batalha and Convent of Christ (approx $7 / $17 USD) | Child: Free under 12; free for all Sun/holidays until 2PM
Convento de Cristo e Castelo Templário (Convent of Christ & Templar Castle, UNESCO)
Where: Tomar
Admission: Adult: €15 (approx $17 USD) | Child: €7.50 ages 13-24 (approx $9 USD); free under 12
Sé Catedral da Guarda (Guarda Cathedral)
Where: Guarda
Admission: Adult: Free to enter; small fee for tower/cloister access | Child: Free
Judiaria de Belmonte (Belmonte Jewish Quarter)
Where: Belmonte
Admission: Adult: Free to walk quarter; Jewish Museum approx €2 (approx $2 USD) | Child: Free
Fortaleza de Almeida (Almeida Star Fort)
Where: Almeida
Admission: Adult: Free to walk ramparts; military museum small admission fee (approx €2, $2 USD) | Child: Free/reduced
Castelo de Sortelha (Sortelha Castle)
Where: Sortelha, Sabugal
Admission: Adult: Free (open village and castle walls) | Child: Free
Sé Catedral de Viseu (Viseu Cathedral)
Where: Viseu
Admission: Adult: Free to enter cathedral; cloister/museum approx €2.50 (approx $3 USD) | Child: Free
Castelo de Montemor-o-Velho
Where: Montemor-o-Velho
Admission: Adult: Free to walk grounds and walls | Child: Free
Santuário de Fátima (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima)
Where: Fátima
Admission: Adult: Free (donations welcome) | Child: Free