top of page

HERITAGE TRAIN

attractions-tickets-grupo-gala-portugal-v2-01.jpg

​Closed on Mondays

LOCAL_PARTIDA-CHEGADA-COMBOIO.jpg
COMBOIO_PATRIMONIO_2D.jpg

Since the 12th of April 2022, the city of Coimbra has a new tourist offer available - the Heritage Train - which departs from Santa Clara and travels through the historic area of the city of Mondego. 

During the trip, tourists are invited to see the ancient city of Coimbra, the first capital of the kingdom of Portugal.

The travel starts next to Santa Clara Bridge (Avenida D. João das Regras) where the view over the left bank is breathtaking and the view over the right bank leaves any of its passengers wide-eyed, standing out on the horizon the historic University of Coimbra with its imposing and centenary Tower.

Along the way, the guide highlights the most emblematic buildings, places and statues of the city, alluding not only to its architectural design, but also to its historical importance for the city of Coimbra and Portugal.

One of the places that can be seen is Portugal dos Pequenitos , a Theme Park, opened in 1940, consisting of miniature constructions of regional houses, typical buildings and the most representative monuments of Portugal, and also includes the monumental and ethnographic representation of the then Overseas Provinces.

Along practically the entire route, it is possible to observe the architectural design of some Art Nouveau buildings ; some tile-covered building facades.

 

Highlight, in Largo da Portagem, for the Astória Hotel building with traces of Art Nouveau and Art Déco architecture  and also for the building of  Bank of Portugal branch  with architectural features of Coimbra art and also of Renaissance architecture.

From the point of view of the Architecture and History of the City of Coimbra, it is mandatory the reference to the Coimbra Railway Station Building (popularly known as Estação Nova), a building dating from the early 20th century.  (with plan of the architects  Cottinelli Telmo  and Luís da Cunha), highlighting the classicizing language. The building presents a mixture of regionalist and modernist elements , following the trends in vogue at that time for the construction of public buildings.

 

COMBOIO_PATRIMONIO_3B.jpg

It is possible to observe several buildings of religious construction - Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha (13th/14th century); several churches  along Rua da Sofia (which were connected to the respective University College, seven in all, most of them built in the 16th century); the New Cathedral (built by the Jesuits and located next to the University).

The Monastery of Santa Cruz, whose first stone was laid in 1131 (before the foundation of the Kingdom of Portugal, with the approval and sponsorship of the future king), and of the religious part "remains" little more than the Church of Santa Cruz (National Pantheon), where the first two kings of Portugal are buried (D. Afonso Henriques and D. Sancho I), and some dependencies that can be visited, revealing a building of rich and rare beauty both exterior and interior.

The Cloister da Manga (once belonging to Santa Cruz), a Renaissance work (16th century), marked by conceptual coherence that refers to the  Fons Vitae  (Fountain of Life) considered the most beautiful of its kind in Portugal and one of the most beautiful in Europe; the D. Pedro V Market , which has a restaurant area on the first floor.

COMBOIO_PATRIMONIO_8.jpg

Prices

​Adults - €6

Children - From 4 up to 12 years old -  €4

Free - Children up to 3 years old

Groups

Up to 24 people 4.50 euros/pax

More than 25 people - price upon request

Schedule

March 15th to October 30th

Morning

11:30 am

12:30 pm

Afternoon

2:00 pm

3:00 pm

4:00pm

5:oopm

6:00pm

7:00 pm

1st  November to 14th March

Morning

11:30 am

12:30 pm

Afternoon

2:00 pm

3:00 pm

4:00pm

5:oopm

6:00pm

  • Closed on Mondays, except if it is a public holiday.

  • Travel only take place with a minimum of 4 people.

In the area of the University , in addition to the Sé Nova and Colégio dos Jesuitas , you can pass by the Machado de Castro National Museum , you can see the Paço das Escolas (where the old part of the University is located (with several areas that can be visited), the The "new" University is made up of buildings with Estado Novo architecture.

 

You pass by the São Sebastião Aqueduct (16th century), which transported water to the city; one can see the Botanical Garden (whose foundation dates from the Pombaline Reform of the University of Coimbra, in the 18th century, this Reform affected the entire education system, which became more experimental).

 

On the way back, passengers on our Heritage Train can once again look at the beauty of the houses and the river in this millenary city that was the first capital of Portugal.

 

before the trip ends  and as soon as you see the Mondego River, looking to the west at the horizon, you can see the Santa Clara-a-Nova Monastery at the top of Monte da Esperança and at the foot of the São Francisco Convent (which is a multipurpose center with a vast cultural agenda).

IMG-20220506-WA0012.jpg

Do you want to start discovering Coimbra in a privileged way? 

Do you want to know the history and stories of the ancient city of Mondego?

Would you like  do this and more and don't know how?

Venture out and come travel on the Heritage Train! 

bottom of page