The Palace of Sub-Ripas, which includes the “Upper House” or “Casa do Arco” and the “Lower House” or “Casa da Torre”, was a former defensive tower on the city wall of Coimbra (Torre da Contenda). The tower was adapted to a residency in the century XVI and bought by João Vaz who also acquired the buildings on the opposite side of the street, thus uniting “Casa da Torre” to “Casa do Arco” through a walkway arch.
The Palace of Sub-Ripas its an example of the civil construction of the XVI century, standing out from the neighboring buildings for its beauty and eloquence: the “Upper House”, older, has a Manueline style; the facade of the “Lower House” has a magnificent Manueline portal from the first half of the XVI century (twisted, camber in knots, chains with decreasing rings). We also highlight the dozens of Renaissance bas-reliefs, on the outer walls, attributed to the workshop of the sculptor João de Ruão: busts of warriors, nobles, ladies, mythical and biblical figures.
Currently, some services of the Institute of Archeology of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Coimbra operate there, and it is not open to the public. However, on a stroll through Uptown Coimbra, it is mandatory to admire this beautiful building: when climbing the stairs of the “quebra costas”, turn left.
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