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Porta Férrea and Via Latina
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)
Porta Férrea e Via Latina
With the intent to honour the entrance into the court of the University, the Porta Férrea is the first important work undertaken by the School after acquiring the building thus idealised as a triumphal arch with a double façade (in the tradition of the military fort door), apologetic of the institution, evoked in the sculpturesque programme, allusive of the four faculties (Theology, Law, Medicine and Canon-Laws) and of the two important monarchs (King Dinis, who founded the University, and King John III, who had it transferred to Coimbra) in its history.
The Via Latina, erected during the second half of the eighteenth century, constitutes in its essence, a mass of grandeur addorsed (leaning) on the northern internal elevation of the school palace, as a skilful solution to facilitate the access between the vice-rector's court, the Sala dos Capelos and the Main Areas.
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