The city of Coimbra is famous for its historic sites and the first Portuguese university founded there in 1290.
It was also an important centre of Portuguese Judaism until the Inquisition. During the Inquisition, they suffered numerous persecutions, being one of the seats of the Inquisition. More than 11,000 cases were tried here between 1541 and 1820.
Marranism developed, making Coimbra an important place of study, notably under the authority of Professor Antonio Homem and the author Antonio José da Silva.
Many intellectuals studied at its university, one of the oldest in the world, dating back to the 13th century and located on the top of a mountain. The university protected free thinkers from persecution. Its library concealed many books banned during the Inquisition. A Bible dating from the 15th century is preserved there in perfect condition, along with around a hundred other rare and precious books. They are accessible to specialists. These documents include administrative records of the Inquisition.
Sources : Encyclopaedia Judaica, Times of Israel