Conímbriga is the most important Roman archaeological site in Portugal and one of the best preserved in the Iberian Peninsula. It lies in the municipality of Condeixa-a-Nova, about 16 kilometres south of Coimbra, on a plateau between two valleys. Already inhabited before the Romans, under Augustus it became a prosperous Roman city on the road linking Olisipo (Lisbon) with Bracara Augusta (Braga).
History
In the third and fourth centuries, facing the threat of invasion, the inhabitants built a mighty wall, sacrificing part of the city, which was left outside. Even so, in the fifth century Conímbriga was sacked by the Suebi and gradually abandoned; the bishopric moved to nearby Aeminium, which took its name and became Coimbra. That abandonment is what preserved the ruins.
What to see
The jewel of the site is the Casa dos Repuxos, the "House of the Fountains", a large town villa with a central garden full of pools and more than 400 jets, some still working, and superb mosaics with hunting scenes, animals, mythological figures and geometric patterns, protected by a roof. Next to it is the House of Cantaber, one of the largest private residences in the Roman West, with private baths and gardens, which tradition says belonged to a notable captured by the Suebi. You can also see the tall, well-preserved late Roman walls, the forum, the public baths, the aqueduct, which brought water from 3.5 kilometres away, and the remains of shops and streets.
The museum
The museum at the entrance displays finds from the excavations: mosaics, sculpture, pottery, glass, coins and everyday objects, and explains how the city developed. It also has a restaurant with a terrace.
Getting there
Conímbriga is about 20 minutes by car from Coimbra, or by bus to Condeixa. The town of Condeixa-a-Nova has fine mansions and the PO.RO.S Museum, devoted to the Roman presence in the region. Nearby is Penela castle.