"Coimbra played an important role during the Christian Reconquest. The progressive conquest of territory allowed the creation of several Kingdoms, among them, the Kingdom of Portugal."

During the 15th century AD, Conímbriga, located about XNUMX kilometers from Æminium, was constantly plundered by the Germanic peoples. For this reason, many of its inhabitants moved to Æminium.

Unfortunately, there are not many known remains of the defensive structures of Roman Coimbra, although a wall was built. Later, during the period when the city was under Muslim rule, the wall reached almost 2 kilometres. In the 5th century, it had XNUMX gates and a considerable number of towers surrounding the area that, roughly speaking, corresponds to the historic centre today.

Coimbra played an important role during the Christian Reconquista. The progressive conquest of territory led to the creation of several Kingdoms, including the Kingdom of Portugal. In this context, when D. Afonso Henriques – the first Portuguese king – settled in the city of Coimbra, it became the capital of the County of Portugal. During this period, the castle was reinforced, as was the central nucleus of the defensive system.

In 2003, the Núcleo da Cidade Murhada (Walled City Centre) was created, an interpretation centre for the castle and walls of Coimbra, which provides an insight into the history and evolution of the city and provides an insight into what the city’s fortifications were like in the Middle Ages. Even so, there are still some remains of this defensive system that protected the city.