Portugal 2017: Day 3

This morning we also got the day started early after breakfast in the hotel and drove south to Évora. On the way, Fr. Jim Chichetto ’64, C.S.C. shared with the group what Stonehill is like today and how he approaches teaching in his classroom. Which, was fitting as while we were en route to Évora we visited Coimbra and the country’s oldest university.

With Gracia, and our local guide Maria Jose, we explored the University of Coimbra including the Chapel and Library (pictures are not allowed), which has books dating back to the 12th century. Established in 1290 in Lisbon, the University of Coimbra went through a number of relocations until it moved permanently to its current city in 1537, being one of the oldest universities in continuous operation in the world. The university is also the oldest of Portugal and one of the country's largest higher education and research institutions.

Our guide Gracia told us of a Portuguese phrase translates to "In Porto we work, in Coimbra we study, in Lisbon we play, and in Braga we pray," but Coimbra is certainly a very different college town than the one we are used to in Easton.

After some free time to explore Coimbra we continued south passing cork, olive and eucalyptus groves on our way to our hotel, Vila Gale Evora. Alumni had the evening free to explore the walled city, find dinner and rest up for our jammed-packed day tomorrow.

Many restaurants in this city, which has ties to Roman, medieval and present day times, are small with only a few tables to serve patrons. Definitely a unique dining experience!

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Stonehill College Alumni Travel

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