Coimbra

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Portugal - Brasões dos municípios portugueses

COIMBRA

 District : Coimbra

Origin/meaning :
For the "lady" in the arms there are two explanations; one states that she is the patron saint of Coimbra, the Sainted Queen Isabel, wife of King Dinis, renowned in Portugal for her miracle of the roses. The second explanation states that she represents an old Suevic princess named Cindazunda. This is related with a legend that occurred during the reconquest of Portugal from the Moors.

The serpent is the symbol of wisdom, and, together with the goblet (the Holy Grail of the Quest) symbolise the city's university. Coimbra prides itself in being one of the oldest Universities in Europe (founded by the Isabel's husband Dom Dinis).

The twin shields on either side of Isabel, in today's Arms, are the ensigns of Afonso Henriques, Portugal's first monarch, who also made Coimbra his capital. Arms of Freguesias in Coimbra :

• Botão
• Brasfemes
• Castelo Viegas
• Eiras (Coimbra)
• Ribeira de Frades
• Santa Clara
• Santo António dos Olivais
• São João do Campo
• São Martinho do Bispo
• Souselas
• Taveiro
• Torres do Mondego
• Trouxemil

Literature : Information provided by Carlos Cordeiro (ccordeiro@coneddev.com) and Branca Gonçalves (second explanation).