Venue of ISCIES11
Introduction
The 2th Symposium on Computational Intelligence for Engineering Systems ISCIES'11
will be held at Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Coimbra (ISEC), from 16-18 November
2011, Coimbra, Portugal.
Located on a hill overlooking the city, the University of Coimbra comprises a
cluster of buildings dedicated to the production and dissemination of knowledge,
which has grown and evolved over more than seven centuries, and which unquestionably
constitutes its own noble and well-defined urban area within the city of Coimbra.
The University of Coimbra founded on the 13th of August in 1290 by King
Dinis makes it one of the oldest in the world.
Six of Portugal’s Kings were born here and in 1139 until 1256 it was the chosen
capital of the country. The original name in the Roman period was Aeminium, and
it later developed under the influence of the greater nearby town of Conimbriga.
This latter place is now a large archaeological site of great interest with a museum
to display the findings from the diggings. At first sight the town appears more
devoted to commerce than learning but the skyline above the lower part of the city
suggests its real purpose.
Historic, romantic and contemporary city. Strolling through the old age streets,
take a journey through history and explore the ancient city. Discover the love stories
among the trees of the Botanical Gardens.
Proposal
The proposal is to host ISCIES'11 in Coimbra, one of the most enchanting Portuguese
cities. Coimbra is located in central Portugal, 40 km east of the mouth of Mondego
river, 195 km north of Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, and 120 km south of Porto,
the second Portuguese city. Coimbra was the first capital of Portugal, founded in
1143 by King Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal. Having ceased to serve
as the capital of Portugal in the 13th century, Coimbra has nevertheless retained
considerable importance as the capital of the former Beira province, now designated
the Centro region. It is considered the most important city of Portugal outside
the Lisbon and Porto Metropolitan Areas, playing a role as the chief city of the
whole central area of the country. With a dense urban grid the city of Coimbra is
famous for its monuments, churches, libraries, museums, parks, nightlife, healthcare
and shopping facilities, but above all for its intense cultural life, centered on
the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest universities in Europe. This relevance
within the context of the country's cultural life can be seen in the large number
of writers, artists and academics connected with the city, which has thus secured
throughout its history a reputation as the Lusa Atenas (Lusitanian Athens).
View of Coimbra city from Mondego river.
The city name is derived from the bishopric of Conimbriga which moved to the area
in the 9th century. Before than that, the town of Conimbriga[1] was inhabited, at
least, between the 9th century B.C. and 7th-8th A.D. When the Romans arrived, in
the second half of the 1st century B.C., Conimbriga was a florescent village. Thanks
to the peace established in Lusitania, a quick romanization of the indigenous population
took place and Conimbriga became a prosperous town. Following the deep political
and administrative crisis of the Empire, Conimbriga suffered the consequences of
the barbaric invasions. In 465 and in 468, Suabii captured and plundered partially
the town abandoned by part of its population. Conimbriga nowadays is an area designated
as national monument, defined by ordnance in 1910.
Archeological museum of Conimbriga.
Lively Coimbra is renowned for its University, which was established in the 13th
century and is the 3rd oldest university in Europe. Centuries of history lie under
by a fine mantle of huddled white washed houses, intersected by endless winding
streets, steps, arches and lanes that decorate this beautiful, centuries old upper
Coimbra.
Airborne view of Coimbra.
Different perspectives of Coimbra: general view (top), downtown (middle), “Quebra-Costas”
stairs (bottom right), St. Sebastian’s Aqueduct (bottom-left), Mermaid’s Garden
(“Jardim da Sereia”), and pedestrian bridge Pedro&Inês.
Overlooking the city stands one of the oldest and most beautiful universities in
Europe, dominated by its baroque tower. Founded in the year 1290 by King Dinis I,
the University has a magnificent baroque library, a chapel and gates of style “Manueline”.
Tourist points of interest inside University of Coimbra: by lines, from top-left,
baroque tower, King Dinis’ statue (University of Coimbra’s founder), “Joanina” library,
St. Michael’s Chapel (inside), gate of St. Michael’s Chapel, “Porta Férrea” (iron
gate), Faculty of Medicine, and Art’s College, respectively.
Sé Velha (Old Cathedral), an austere, fortress-like structure, was started in the
12th century. Despite modifications in the 16th and a restoration in the 19th century,
it remains perhaps Portugal’s finest Romanesque church. The gilded wood altarpiece
was carved by the Flemish sculptors Olivier de Gand and Jean d’Ypres in the late
15th to early 16th century. There is an impressive 13th century Gothic cloister.
Every year, in the beginning of May, the Old Cathedral is the venue for "Monumental
Serenata" (serenade) of University of Coimbra’s students, a very symbolic event
of “Queima das Fitas” (the burning of the ribbons), one of the biggest students’
festivals in all Europe.
Sé Velha (Old Cathedral) of Coimbra.
Sé Nova (New Cathedral) was built on the 16th century by the Jesuits. It is situated
inside the main University campus (pole 1).
Sé Nova (New Cathedral) of Coimbra.
Just outside Coimbra, there are also several picturesque mountain towns such as
Lousã and Penacova, and spa towns and villages such as Luso, Buçaco and Curia.
Fado (Portuguese: destiny, fate) is a music genre which can be traced from the 1820s
in Portugal, but probably with much earlier origins. The music is usually linked
to the Portuguese word “saudade”, that has no match in English but it could be understood
as nostalgia felt while missing something or someone important. Coimbra fado is
closely linked to the academic traditions of the University of Coimbra and is exclusively
sung by men; both the singers and musicians wear the academic outfit (traje académico):
dark robe, cape and leggings. It is sung at night, almost in the dark, in city squares
or streets.
The most typical venues are the stair steps of the Santa Cruz Monastery and the
Old Cathedral of Coimbra. It is also customary to organize serenades where songs
are performed before the window of the woman to be courted. The Coimbra fado is
accompanied by either a Portuguese guitar or by a classical guitar; the tuning and
sound colouring of the Portuguese guitar in Coimbra are quite different from that
of Lisbon. The most sung themes: student love, love for the city and bohemia, and
the ironic and critical reference to the discipline and conservative nature of the
professors and their courses.
Coimbra fado: group performing Coimbra fado (left) and the virtuoso Carlos Paredes
playing Portuguese guitar (right).