Coimbra - the largest city in the central region of Portugal; from the tenth century until 1260 was the capital of the country. During this period the city became strongly and successfully develop, grow and turn into a promising city.

The city is divided as it were into two parts. The upper city - there lived the richest aristocrats of Coimbra (also known as the Almedina), and the lower town, where he lived poor and middle class.

The tower was built near the Almedina Almedina arch in about the eleventh century, during the reign of House Sesnando. Almedina Arch - this is the entrance to the old city and part of the fortification walls which were erected the Arab conqueror Almansor. In the days of the Arab conquest of the city wall is greater than the length of two miles, and the walls were a powerful defensive system of the city, which included and tower, and the arch. Arch Almedina door is called, today it is possible to get through to the upper city.

For centuries, the tower was rebuilt many times. She defended the main entrance to the city with her was carried out round the clock surveillance. In addition, the tower was the headquarters of the municipal and judicial authorities of the city. For a century, from the XIV and XV century, located in the tower of the City Council, City Hall. She later became the home of tips. The bell in the tower summoned to meetings, and informs about the time of opening and closing the gate.

Today the tower hosts the walled city, a kind of museum, which tells the history of the medieval town and its fortifications. Also housed in the tower of the city archives.