Penedo da Saudade, Coimbra

Penedo da Saudade, previously known as Pedra dos Ventos (Boulder of the Winds) is a historical public garden. The garden has partial views of Coimbra skyline and the Coimbra City Stadium. A long winding walkway leads down the hill through a wooded area, from the main section of the garden all the way down to Infanta Dona Maria street.

According to the legend, nothing remained the same after the death of Inês de Castro. It used to be a relaxing and isolated place, where D. Pedro used to go to grieve the loss of his beloved Inês. It is said that his mourning and sadness gave this place its name – Penedo da Saudade (Saudade, a feeling of longing, melancholy, or nostalgia that is supposedly characteristic of the Portuguese or Brazilian temperament). Many centuries later, it seemed to be the right place for the romantic encounters of students, and it was at this time that Coimbra Fado was born, challenging eternity with words they etched on the stone. These words represent the feelings of many generations of Coimbra students and lovers which can be seen today engraved on stone slabs all across the garden.

Beyond the many stone slabs with poems and songs from past students of the University, the garden also is also home to three monuments: A statue depicting Portuguese poet and educationalist João de Deus, as well as a bust of writer Eça de Queirós, and another of romantic poet António Nobre.