"Repúblicas" are university residences, originally in the town of Coimbra, which historical roots are deeper than they might appear. It was in 1309 that King D. Dinis decreed the creation of residences for university students, at the time located in the area of Almedina. A model of social housing for students was created, which, evolving, has remained until today.
In 1940 the Council of the Republics was created, an association representing all these communities. In 1957 they had their first modern legal framework. In the 1960s they became politicized, became strongholds of resistance to the regime, gave shelter to those persecuted by PIDE and there germinated revolutionary ideals.
After the 25th of April, the Republics moved away from one of their recent vocations - the organization of praxes - and became anti-praxis, with more recently some of them having a non-praxist position.
There are currently just over two dozen republics in Coimbra. In many ways they remain true to their usual principles. The libertarian and bohemian environment reigns in these communities and their management is done in a democratic way. Residents - "republics" - are considered equal in rights and obligations. In the 1940s and 1950s, community management was divided into ministries, each with its own minister. As you can see, the most demanding portfolio was that of the Minister of Finance of the Republic. At that time, it was customary for each house to have a lady to take care of most of the domestic work. The bonds between her and the students were deep, as if it were a connection between mother and children, and this relationship resulted in friendships for life.
Some of the Republics have rules for admitting residents. Some, reserved for students of certain colleges, others with female or male residents only. Some were created for students from specific regions of the country.
In recent years, the situation in some of these Republics has become dramatic, struggling with the pressure of real estate speculation accentuated by the excellent location that most of them enjoy. Fortunately, there are some defense and protection mechanisms, activated by adhering to the status of establishments and entities of local historical and cultural or social interest.
The “Fantasmas” is one of the youngest republics in Coimbra. It was founted in 1969 by José Rui Meireles, Pedro Trindade de França, Isaías J. Martins
de Sá, Basílio José Santos Martins, António José Galhardo de Almeida, Alberto Jorge Pita da Costa, Francisco B.
Oliveira Braga.
It was officially confirmed by the dean in 1971.
It's located in the Sousa Pinto neighborhood since 1972, very central and close to the core of the University.
The Republica is hosted in a two-story urban building presents as one of the best preserved examples of local architecture from the 19th century and early 20th century.
Its main reasons for interest are the stone guard that crowns the pediment, located at the top of the building. At this level of the façade, the cantilever, which is worked and highlighted in the building, also all its length small symmetrical spheres.
The balcony stands out on the facade, supported by stony dogs, which occupies, in extension, a large part of the
facade. It is furnished with a wrought iron grill. - This type of decoration has its affiliation in the so-called
“Iron architecture” typical of the 19th century, but whose use continued for the following century.
It should also be noted the windows with guillotine opening located on the ground floor. And deserves attention
especially the analysis of the mansards, in number of two, displayed on the roof of the building. This solution was very
used to allow maximum use of space. It constitutes an alternative to raising the properties, and was preferred in many cases as a less expensive solution. The main façade faces the Sousa Pinto neighborhood, and the posterior one faces Rua Castro Matoso.
Finally, the Republic's identifying designs should be highlighted. They must be preserved, as they identify a way and feeling of private life identified with the republics, who live here.
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