Colégio Novo

Colégio Novo in Coimbra is a former Augustinian college on the university hill, also called the Colégio da Sapiência or Colégio de Santo Agostinho. It stands on Rua do Colégio Novo in the Alta, the historic upper town of Coimbra that forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

What is the Colégio Novo?

Augustinian friars founded the college in 1552, during the sixteenth-century reforms of the University of Coimbra. It worked as a residence and study house for members of the order. The name "Sapiência" means wisdom and pointed to the aim of the place: training learned and virtuous men. Sources also record it as the Colégio dos Crúzios and simply the Colégio Novo.

Who designed it and where does it stand?

The site was bought from the city, the cathedral chapter and private owners. It lies between the Porta Nova gate and the Sé, Coimbra's cathedral. The Italian architect Filippo Terzi, active in Portugal in the later sixteenth century, signed the project. The nearby street takes its name from the college and already appears on city plans from 1873 and 1874.

What survives of the original building?

Later alterations changed the original layout considerably. The cloister and the college chapel on the south side survived. In recent decades the building housed the university's faculty of psychology and education sciences. That occupation is reported to be ending, and a project is planned to give the whole complex a coherent appearance.

How do you get there and what is nearby?

The college sits in the upper town, a few minutes on foot from the New Cathedral and the Old Cathedral. From the riverside the approach is by steep lanes and stairs, so wear comfortable shoes. Access to the interior depends on the building's current user, so check with the University of Coimbra before you go. You can see the facade and the old street freely on a walk through the Alta.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Colégio Novo the same as the Colégio de Santo Agostinho? Yes. It is one building known by several names, including the Colégio da Sapiência.

When was it founded? In 1552, by the Augustinians.

Who designed it? Filippo Terzi, an Italian architect working in Portugal, signed the project.

Can you visit the interior? Access depends on who uses the building and may change, so ask the University of Coimbra. From the street you can still see the building and its setting in the heart of the university Alta.