Torre de Anto

About

The Torre de Anto is a small yet captivating medieval tower that rises above the winding streets of Coimbra’s old town. Originally part of the city’s defensive walls, it dates back to the 16th century and later became known for its association with the poet António Nobre, who lived and wrote here in the late 19th century. The tower’s compact stone structure and narrow windows preserve the atmosphere of an earlier Coimbra, offering a glimpse into the city’s fortified past. In the 20th century, it was transformed into a space dedicated to local craftsmanship, celebrating traditional arts and regional identity. Today, the Torre de Anto stands as both a historical landmark and a cultural symbol, inviting visitors to explore a quiet corner of Coimbra where literature, memory, and medieval architecture meet.

Coimbra Portugal

Location

Torre de Anto is located on Rua de Sobre Ribas in Coimbra's Almedina district, midway down the medieval city walls' slope, overlooking the Mondego River. Originally part of the defensive enclosure and later repurposed as a residence known as Torre do Prior do Ameal, this square medieval tower—named after poet António Nobre who lived there—now functions as a museum on Coimbra fado and crafts (Núcleo Museológico da Memória da Escrita). It stands near the Monumento ao Fado, with views toward Parque Verde do Mondego and Ponte Pedro e Inês downstream, close to Mosteiro de Santa Cruz and Praça 8 de Maio uphill, Torre de Almedina and Igreja de Santiago downhill, and a short walk from the National Museum Machado de Castro and paths to the University of Coimbra Alta.

Museu Nacional Machado de Castro