|
|
|
|
|
Introduction:
Coimbra
|
^
The University Clock Tower is the best known landmark in
Coimbra. |
Romantic
Coimbra, the main city of the central Beira Litoral region, is considered the Oxford of Portugal. A seat of learning, featuring impressive monuments, cathedrals, medieval churches and the most important library in the land, Coimbra was also capital of Portugal for more than a century in the Middle Ages.
Its old town centre, fanning out from the university, comprises narrow alleyways, lined with taverns, cafés, galleries and bookstores. It is at its liveliest during term-time, particularly in May, when the end of term is celebrated with the Queima dasitas, a series of concerts and performances enjoyed by the most prestigious |
students in the land.
Surrounded by Roman ruins, the Forest of Bucaco, and within easy reach of the beaches of Figueira da
Foz, the main resort of the Silver Coast of Beira Litoral, Coimbra is well situated for enjoyable leisure time.
For UEFA EURO 2004, Coimbra is providing one stadium, its Municipal one to the north of town. This will be double its current capacity of 15,000, the new 30,000-seater stadium part of a brand new leisure complex of a sports hall, swimming pool and multiplex cinema. Other major improvements to Coimbra's infrastructure are also expected for
2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stadium:
Estádio Cidade de Coimbra
|
^
The Estádio Cidade de Coimbra has its capacity doubled. |
Capacity 30,000
Entity Coimbra Town
Hall
Architect António
Monteiro
The plan for the new Estádio Cidade de Coimbra involved doubling the old venue's capacity of around 15,000 by adding a new tier to the existing stands. This second, u-shaped level was built on the hill at the north end.
The design does not involve any historical or traditional references, as the idea was to create a new, contemporary image with glass façades and an aesthetic roof supported by elegant stands. The |
existing athletics track has been
preserved for possible use as a multi-purpose facility in the
future.
The stadium has 30,000 seats, two-thirds of which are covered. The complex boasts a large press centre, a bar, kitchens and a restaurant with a panoramic view of the pitch. António Laranjo, Tournament Director, said: "This is a stadium that has been renovated, but anyone coming here will forget the old one and think of them as two completely different projects".
A multi-purpose pavilion, an Olympic swimming pool, a gym, cinemas, an underground car park, offices and retail outlets will be built in the surrounding area.
The Estádio Cidade de Coimbra was inaugurated with a Rolling Stones concert on 27 September, attended by over 30,000 people. On 29 October, Académica de Coimbra played at home to SL Benfica, in the first official match in the remodelled stadium.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Average
highest temperature in June: 25.6ºC |
|
|
|
|
B
England v Switzerland
1800 CET 17 June 2004
B
Switzerland v France
2045 CET 21 June 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
