Your Hotel in Coimbra downtown

40 years of the “25 de Abril”!

In a month when Coimbra begins to attract even more tourists, Portugal celebrates one of the most important dates – maybe the most important – of its recent past: the 25th of April. This is a historical day, celebrated every year, which recalls the liberation from the shackles of dictatorship imposed by the Estado Novo.
Many people don’t remember that Portuguese democracy is still very young and this is the day of its birth, a date that deserves to be celebrated.So, if you’re spending a part of April in Coimbra, enjoy getting to know a little better the country’s history, also made in this city, home of some of the singers (and writers) of national freedom.

Until today, the 25th of April remains one of the most iconic coups in history. On that day, in 1974, the military and the people took control of the country, without violence: instead of bullets, the guns sported red carnations. So, if you are spending some days in Coimbra, make sure you remember or get to know the significance of this date with a small itinerary that we prepared for you.
A revolution made with flowers.

This month, we’re celebrating the 25th of April, the day when Portugal broke free from dictatorship through a military coup.So, we prepared a thematic itinerary just for you.
“Grândola, Vila Morena”
Our first stop is Teatro Académico de Gil Vicente, at Praça da República. The space hosts, until April 25, the “Portuguese Cinema Posters Exhibition”, remembering the Carnation Revolution. The initiative is promoted by the April 25 Documentation Centre and the posters can be seen from Monday to Friday, between 9:30 am and 12:30 pm and from 2 to 10 pm.
Then, go up to the Rua Antero de Quental and get to know the Monument to the 25th of April, a sculpture by Ana Rosmaninho. The artwork is located next to the building that was, during dictatorship, the headquarters of PIDE (International Police and Defense of the State) in Coimbra.
The next point of this itinerary is the writer Miguel Torga’s House-Museum, one of the most relevant figures of the 20th century literature. The doctor, who lived in Coimbra most of his life, didn’t conform with the injustices of the dictatorial regime, a feeling that’s present in part of his work. The house-museum is located at the nº 3 of Praceta Fernando Pessoa and you can visit it between Monday and Friday, from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. If you want to schedule a visit, just call 239 702 630.
Finally, to end this beautiful day, go to the river area and get to know the Memorial to Miguel Torga. When you get at Largo da Portagem, go along the bridge of Santa Clara and look at the floor. There, by the river, you can find the city’s tribute to the writer. This is also the end of our little thematic guide. We hope you like it!

Hotel Oslo Coimbra Logo

Hotel Oslo – Coimbra

Av. Fernão de Magalhães, 25
3000-175 Coimbra, Portugal
Tel. +351 239 829 071
(national landline call)
Hotel Oslo Coimbra Logo Map and Directions
Hotel Oslo Coimbra Logo Contacts