The iconic tower of the University of Coimbra (UC) will open its doors for free visits on Saturday, 27th September, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The event, weather permitting, will be held to mark World Tourism Day, celebrated on this date.
As the UC Tourism Office explains, "This event highlights the importance of tourism as a bridge between people and cultures, and invites both the local community and visitors to experience one of the most iconic symbols of the university and the city of Coimbra".
Access to the Tower will be on a first-come, first-served basis, with no overall limit on visitors, but with a maximum permitted inside at any one time. Although the Tower is open until 6:00 pm, the last entry for visitors will be at 5:30 pm.
Built between 1728 and 1733 to a project by António Canevari (replacing an earlier tower built by João de Ruão in the 16th century), the University of Coimbra's tower is the “matriarch” of European university towers. Not only does it house the clocks, but it also bears the bells that chime to signal the institution's traditions.