Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Grand Hall (Sala dos Capelos)
—Enter from the middle of Via Latina, climb the
tiled stairway, and show your ticket. The Grand Hall is the site of the university's ma-
jor academic ceremonies, such as exams and graduations. Tourists look down from bal-
conies above the room. This was originally the throne room of the royal palace. Today,
the rector's light-green chair sits like a throne in front. During ceremonies, students in
their formal attire fill the benches, and teachers sit along the perimeter as gloomy portraits
of Portuguese kings watch from above. The fine, old, painted ceiling features “Indo-Por-
tuguese” themes, reminding Portugal's next generation of leaders of the global reach of
their nation. There is no clapping during these formal rituals, but a brass band (on the
wooden platform in the back) punctuates the ceremonies with solemn music.
ViewCatwalk
(Varanda):
Continue around the Grand Hall, past an ornately decorated
former royal stateroom (now a place where students take their oral exams as portraits of
past university rectors look on with interest). Go out onto the narrow observation deck for
the best possible views of Coimbra (the viewpoint may be closed in bad weather). The
“only 10 people on the balcony at a time” rule is enforced by an on-duty guard who has
the door key.
