University of Coimbra: Capelos Room

Pátio das Escolas - 3000 Coimbra
Phone: (+351) 239.859.841

URL: University of Coimbra: Capelos Room

University of Coimbra: Capelos Room
The Large Room of Acts is the most important room of the University of Coimbra.

It is also known as Sala dos Capelos (literally, cowls room), as it is still used for academic ceremonies.

The first of such ceremonies is the doctorial ceremony, whereby a candidate takes the mandatory examination that will grant him or her the title of doctor.

The candidate must wear the traditional costume (black trousers or skirt, white shirt, cassock, long black cloak and black shoes) when appearing before the juri, who will be wearing identical costumes.

After the examination, the new doctor returns to this room to ask the chancellor for the doctoral insigniae: the academis cap (borla, a small hat symbolising intelligence) and the academic cowl (capelo, a short silk and velvet cloak simbolising science), both in the colour corresponding to the faculty that has granted the academic degree.

This conferral of the insigniae is a solemn occasion, when all the doctors of the university wear their insigniae, and the charamela (a kind of oboe, located on a wooden platform at the back of the room, on the right-hand side) is heard at the end of the ceremony playing the anthem of the University of Coimbra.

Another formal ceremony hold in this room is the honorary doctorate.

The university may confer the degree of doctor on national or foreign personalities with outstanding achievements in science, art and politics, among others.

The protocol observed is identical to the one for the conferral of doctoral insigniae.

Other important events are held in this room: the Formal Opening of the Academic Year (second wednesday of October) and the Inauguration of the Chancellor, every four years.

Crucial events in the History of Portugal took place in this room (as the 1385 Coimbra Courts), as the Large Room of Acts was once the Throne Room of the Royal Palace, the residence of all the kings of Portugal during the first dinasty (between 1143 and 1383).