Academic Association of Coimbra

Construction of the current academic complex began in 1954, based on a design by architects Alberto José Pessoa and João Abel Manta. Consisting of a group of buildings housing various services—canteens, bars, a gym, theaters, rehearsal rooms, and buildings for cultural and sports activities—the new academic facilities clearly reveal a break with the “monumental classicism” style adopted in the university's early days.

AAC GARDENS

Built on the site where the Casa da Quinta da Ribela dos Priores de Santa Cruz once stood, the layout of the new buildings of the Academic Association of Coimbra ended up creating a garden space without cutting down any trees, thus allowing for a redevelopment of the space according to the landscape design by Manuel Ferreira da Costa Cerveira. With a regular geometric shape and the discreet use of different materials on all architectural surfaces: wood, glass, and metal structures, urban equipment was installed that is intended to be completely reversible.

MURAL OF THE ACADEMY'S CULTURAL ACTIVITIES Promoted by the Portuguese State, with a design by João Abel Manta, who drew it on cardboard in 1958, it was executed in tiles in 1960 at the Viúva Lamego Factory. These panels represent the activities of the Academic Association, namely cinema, dance, photography, choral groups, press, reading, radio, choir, and academic theater.

PANELS OF THE ACADEMIC DRESS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COIMBRA

Set of seven panels displaying scenes depicting the evolution of the academic dress of the University of Coimbra. The panels were commissioned from Abel Manta by the Portuguese State as part of the construction of the building of the Academic Association of Coimbra and inaugurated in 1961.