Al'Qulumriyya (Coimbra) - قلمريّة
In Coimbra, probably the 3rd City in Portugal in terms of importance and a tremendous centre for knowledge with ancient universities, there is an interesting monument the "Sé Velha de Coimbra" built in a romanic style in 1162.
This important portuguese romanic monument has an interesting arabic inscription close to one of its gates.
In the north wall of the building close to the Gate of Santa Clara it is still possible to see a marking arabic inscription probably written by one of the muslim masons.
It reads like this:
«I wrote (this) as a permanent record of my suffering; my hand will perish one day, but greatness will remain»
The quality of the photo is quite bad but I am endeavouring some efforts to get a better one, where is possible to read the arabic with clarity.
In Portuguese:
Templo Românico de 1162, considerado uma das mais belas peças do Românico Português. No muro norte, junto à Porta de Stª Clara, é ainda visível uma inscrição em árabe coeva do período construtivo da Sé. A inscrição é, a todos os títulos, marcante: "Escrevi isto como recordação permanente do meu sofrimento. A minha mão perecerá um dia, mas a grandeza ficará."
Templo Românico de 1162, considerado uma das mais belas peças do Românico Português. No muro norte, junto à Porta de Stª Clara, é ainda visível uma inscrição em árabe coeva do período construtivo da Sé. A inscrição é, a todos os títulos, marcante: "Escrevi isto como recordação permanente do meu sofrimento. A minha mão perecerá um dia, mas a grandeza ficará."
dá arrepios...Qalbi Arabi!
Al'Manijah (Moura)
From the lands of the South comes the Legend of Salúquia a moorish Princess (daughter of the Vizir Abu Hassan) who jumped from the high tower of the Castle of AL Manijah (nowadays Moura) after knowing that her lover was killed by the Christians while in the way for their marriage. With a broken heart and to avoid being caught by the Christians, Saluquia jumped from the Tower shocking the whole village and giving birth to a legend that still exists in the minds and hearts of the people of this land. The Coat of Arms of the Village of Moura (direct translation: Moorish lady) makes reference to this happening...
The Village still has a Moorish sector composed of 3 streets, a moorish well and one alley (Check picture) built in medina style. There is a small arabic/islamic museum worth visiting!
in the picture below is the tower of Saluquia from where the Princess Jumped almost 1000 years ago.
another important picture is the one of the Torre de Taipa, a military fortification built in arabic style and incorporated in the Castle of Moura
.JPG)
