Originally founded in Lisbon in 1290, the university moved to the town of Coimbra in 1308 in response to some fallings-out between various religious and secular authorities and, proving some things never change, conflict between students and local residents. The university moved back and forth between Coimbra and Lisbon several times depending on the political / royal mood. It is the oldest university in Portugal and one of the longest running universities in the world.
New students are welcomed with the tradition of the Tin Can Parade, tying tin cans to their legs and parading through the town. Unwitting freshmen are occasionally sold (made-up) season tickets to ride the escalators. Student protestors in the 1960s used the imaginative precaution of soaping the streets and pavements so that mounted police would find it hard to chase them down.
I highly recommend an image search so you can get a real sense of the age and grandeur of the University buildings…
Stamp of the Day 