Coimbra, a city with a millennia-old history, holds not only memories in its winding streets, but also enchanting legends passed down through time. Among them stands out the legend of Coluber, a tale of love and courage said to have inspired the name of our city. According to the legend, during the time of the barbarian invasions in the Iberian Peninsula, between the 5th and 8th centuries, when the Suebi and Alans ruled the region there lived in the city a beautiful princess, with blue eyes and golden hair, admired by all the men who passed by. Her heart belonged to a young knight. Her father, however, forbade the romance, believing the young man had yet to prove himself worthy of his daughter. One day, something terrifying appeared from the skies: a gigantic serpent, which they named Coluber, threatening to destroy everything in its path. The princess, yearning to live her forbidden love and believing in her beloved’s bravery, made an unexpected announcement: she would marry the bravest knight in the kingdom – the one who could defeat the fearsome creature and restore the peace everyone so desperately longed for. The challenge sparked the ambition of many warriors. Several tried, but none dared face the monstrous serpent. Only one stood firm: the lovestruck knight, driven by love and determination, who faced Coluber in a fierce and exhausting battle. After a brutal fight, the knight emerged victorious, and Coimbra once again found peace. At last, the king recognized the young knight’s worth and allowed him to be with the princess, so they could finally share the love they had long dreamed of. It is said that, on the spot where the serpent fell, a settlement called Columber Briga was born – a name that, over time, evolved into Coimbra. Since its very origins, the city has been tied to stories of love and romance. It thus preserves the memory of a tale that has crossed centuries, reminding us that true love and courage can overcome even the most fearsome of challenges.
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