Student Traditions of Coimbra

It’s not just academic excellence that has spread the University of Coimbra’s reputation far beyond Portugal’s borders. Much of its fame also comes from the centuries-old traditions passed down through generations of students, such as the student uniform. A true symbol of the city, it’s called Capa e Batina. Men wear a black suit, and women wear a black skirt suit. Both are topped with a flowing black cape, giving them an unwitting wizard-like look.The tears cut into the hem of the cape are said to represent past heartbreaks. Originally designed to erase social differences, the uniform is a beloved part of Portuguese folklore. If you look closely, you’ll notice colourful ribbons pinned to the lapel, yellow for medicine, red for law, purple for pharmacy, and blue for the humanities. These ribbons leads us to the second major tradition. Since 1899, students have gathered in front of the Sé Velha for the Queima das Fitas, or “burning of the ribbons.” Held each May, usually on the first or second Thursday of the month, it marks the end of the academic year in spectacular fashion. What follows is a week full of celebration, where any excuse is a good one to party!