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Sala dos Capelos (and Private Examination Room and Arms Room)
In Portugal and a little around the rest of the world as well, the idea of the institution University of Coimbra is closely connected to the Main University Area, a heterogeneous architectural ensemble where the constructions of the so-called New State are put in relief, especially the Pateo and the Paço das Escolas looked down upon by the famous University Tower.
In 1544, it was the Paço das Escolas which agglutinated all the Faculties of the University of Coimbra, after the final accommodation of the University in this city in 1537 and a true itinerant path of almost three centuries between Lisbon and the Mondego urban area.
During this period in Coimbra the General Studies (later known as University) functioned in a building referred to as the Old Studies, more or less where the Main Library is to be found today, and were then distributed to various areas, putting into relief the Santa Cruz Monastery and the Paço das Escolas itself.
When visiting the Paço das Escolas, the following monuments shouldn't be missed (learn about the contacts and timetables to visit this monumental group):
Sala dos Capelos (and Private Examination Room and Arms Room)
The Sala Grande dos Actos is the most important room of the University of Coimbra. It is also known as Sala dos Capelos.
When visiting the Sala dos Capelos, you may also visit the Private Examination Room and the Arms Room.
The Private Examination Room was an integrating part of the royal wing of the palace. It was a royal chamber, that is, the place where the monarch stayed overnight. This was also the first room where the first “meeting” was held between the vice-rector D. Garcia de Almeida and the University professors on the 13th October 1537, which is the date of the final transfer of this institution to Coimbra.
The Arms Room was part of the royal wing of the old palace. It accommodates a full array of arms (halberds) of the Academic Royal Guard, which are still used today by the Halberdiers (guards) in the formal academic ceremonies (solemn “honoris causa” doctorates, the rector's investiture, formal beginning of the classes).
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