Photos: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 Alvesgaspar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Alvesgaspar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo credits
Photos: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 Alvesgaspar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Alvesgaspar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quinta das Lágrimas: the legend of Inês de Castro
Your local guide
Teresa Salgado
View profile
Highlights
- A spring said to mark a legend's ending
- Inês de Castro's story, told plainly
- History separated from later poetry
- Ancient trees shading a tragic garden
- A legend's several different versions
About this tour
This session follows the garden of Quinta das Lágrimas, tied to the tragic legend of Inês de Castro, starting at the small spring said to mark where her story is set. Teresa tells the story plainly before separating the documented history from what later poets added to it. The session moves on to the garden's older trees, planted long after the events themselves.
Teresa keeps a slow, storytelling pace at the spring before moving through the wider grounds, checking the picture holds steady on the mineral-stained stone. She takes questions about the different versions of the legend as they come up, since accounts vary considerably. A short note on the garden's later history follows the session.
This suits anyone interested in Portuguese literature and legend as much as garden design. It also suits viewers who enjoy a story-led session over a purely architectural one.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 5 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Coimbra before heading out.
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The spring said to mark the legend 21 min
The camera holds on a small stone spring in the garden, its water tinted by mineral deposits that gave rise to the legend. Teresa tells the story of Inês de Castro's death and the spring named for her.
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The garden's older trees 21 min
Further into the grounds, ancient trees shade paths laid out centuries after the events the legend describes. Teresa separates the documented history of Inês de Castro from the versions added by later poets.
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Your questions 9 min
Time to ask anything about Coimbra: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 4 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Vinho do Dão and Santa Clara, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Lisbon time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 10 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Coimbra, showing you The spring said to mark the legend and The garden's older trees live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need to know the history already?
No background needed. The guide explains everything as it comes up.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I walk Coimbra's streets and gardens live with my phone.
Times shown in Lisbon time (WET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Mon 26 Oct · 10 seats left From 23,00 €
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