The Mondego River unites the two banks of the historic city and former capital of Portugal. In the foreground, two kayakers glide smoothly across the calm water, introducing scale and depth to the scene. In the background, the hillside rises, and high above it stands the University of Coimbra, a long-standing centre of knowledge and culture. The Santa Clara Bridge, on the left side of the image, allows passage between the two historic centres: the university on the right bank and the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha on the left, two of the many landmarks that shape the rhythm of the city. Reflections soften the architecture and dissolve the boundary between water and stone. The image presents Coimbra as a living cultural landscape, where river, movement, and history coexist in a continuous and active dialogue.

* March 12, 2005
* Coimbra, Portugal
* GPS: 40.20577, -8.43074
* From the series: Spirit of Earth — Cityscape
* Object number: #59.POR-SEC.2005
* Olympus E1, 50-200/2.8 • Iso 400 • 14mm • f/13 • 1/200sec
* Photograph. 70×50 cm. Ed. 1/12 + 3 AP
* Print on Hahnemühle Glossy Fine-Art Baryta, 325 g/m²