The 2025 Morgan Europe Trip

April 20, 2025 Happy Blessed Easter! Alleluia! He is Risen!

We went to Mass at the Old Cathedral of St. Mary's of Coimbra and arrived early, because we expected standing room only on Easter Sunday, right? To our surprise and sadness, the church was not full. We were under the impression that Portugal is quite religious, but when Googled, it said only 19% attend Mass regularly. We miss our St. Luke's in Allendale!

After Mass, we got some pastries and candy to bring back to the apartment in lieu of Easter baskets. If we had never eaten French and Italian pastries, we would probably think Portuguese pastries are tasty. But, we HAVE eaten French and Italian pastries and Portuguese pastries pale in comparison. We hung out awhile, played some cards, and then took a walk up the hill to the campus of the University of Coimbra. We knew things would be closed, we were just looking at the outside of things.

Entrance to the Old Cathedral.

The sanctuary. A few Easter flowers.

She was inspiring. She shuffled in so slowly and prayed so reverently, I was moved by her witness of (what appears to be) a lifetime of faith.

I'm not sure who is buried here, but the date of 1630 jumped out at me.

Conk shells (there were several) are used to hold holy water at the entrance of church for making the Sign of the Cross in remembrance of our Baptismal promises.

The plaque next to the shells had this to say. "They came to the Old Cathedral at the beginning of the 20th century, offered by the governor of East Timor. They are about 2000 years old. These shells also mark the passage of the Santiago Comino through the Santa Maria Cathedral."

Clare and Rod buying our Easter candy.

Hanging out before our walk to the college. We have this couch and a wicker chair for living room furniture. Cozy!

Another street performer with a marionette that "played" music.

Some college buildings of the University of Coimbra.

The chemistry building.

This plaque explains the chemistry building.

View of town from the college.

King Dinis of Portugal (1279-1325) established the University of Coimbra among other wonderful improvements to Coimbra and ruled for over 46 years.

Another component of the college seems to be the old royal palace......"the Royal Palace was built at the end of the 10th century, serving as a fortress for the governor of the city during Islamic rule. In 1131, it became the first Portuguese royal household, the residence of Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal. In 1537, during the reign of King John the III, the University was permanently relocated from Lisbon to Coimbra, having been established in this building in 1544."