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The Universidade de Coimbra is an european university in
Coimbra, a city of central Portugal.
It was founded, or ratified, in 1290 by King Dinis, having begun its existence in Lisbon. The royal charter announcing the institution of the University was dated 1st March of that year, although
efforts had been made at least since 1288 to create this first University in Portugal; it is, besides, one the oldest of such establishments in the Iberian Peninsula. The Papal confirmation was also given in 1290 (on 9th August of that year), during the
Papacy of Nicolas IV. In accordance with the Papal Bull, all the "licit" Faculties, with the exception of that of Theology, could
be established. Thus the Faculties of Arts, Law, Canon Law and Medicine were the first to be created.
The University, however, was not to remain in Lisbon for long. In 1308, in likelihood owing to problems of emancipation with
regard to the Church (relations between the latter and the political power being somewhat strained at the time) and also owing to
conflicts between the inhabitants of the city and the students, the University moved to Coimbra. This town already had old
traditions in education, as it was the home of the highly sucessful school of the Monastery of Santa Cruz. The University was
then established on the site known as "Estudos Velhos", which corresponds roughly to the area where the Main Library now
stands.
In 1338, in the reign of Afonso IV, the University was again transferred to Lisbon, from whence in 1354 it was yet again moved
to Coimbra, this time to the centre of the town which was then in full expansion. In 1377, in the reign of King Fernando, it was
transferred to Lisbon where it would remain for over a century and a half. The authorization for a Faculty of Theology probably
dates from this period - arround 1380.
In 1537 the University moved definitively to Coimbra, where it was installed in the Alcaçova Palace. At the same time a
restructuring of the curricula was undertaken, and new teachers, both portuguese and foreing, were admitted.
Nowadays, with eight Faculties (Humanities, Law, Medicine, Science & Technology, Pharmacy, Economics, Psychology &
Teacher Training and Sports Sciences), with its 25.000 students, the University of Coimbra is one of the most important
educational and researching institutions of Portugal.
Closely related with this old University are many academic traditions and institutions with a great impact in the city's life.
The old "Republics" (autonomous student's residences) remain, as also some traditional festivities, the most famous of which is
the "Queima das Fitas" (celebrating the end of graduation courses, symbolized by the burning of the ribbons with the colours of
all the eight faculties of the university), the daily use of traditional attire, the "fado" (which is now sung in organized shows
rather than in streets, in small "serenades", as dictated by tradition), and the academic ceremonies (namely the conferring of
doctorate degrees), all of which are living evidence of Coimbra's academic traditions.
The "Associaçăo Académica de Coimbra - AAC" is the student's association of the University of Coimbra. It is the oldest
university student's association in Portugal and in Europe, founded on 3rd November
1887. AAC is also the student's association with more traditions, including an old tradition of creating politicians and fight
against State unpopular policies. This association has many cultural departments (theatre, cinema, radio and television
broadcast, music, choral song, journalism, philately, etc) and sports departments (football, rugby, handball, basketball,
baseball, martial arts, athletics, gymnastic, etc), where all the university students, including professional or
semi-professional athlets, and the people in general, could practice sports and cultural activities.
The University of Coimbra is a member of the Coimbra Group of leading
European universities.
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