Coimbra is the largest city in the Central region of Portugal; from the tenth century to the year 1260 was the capital of the country. During this period the city became hard and successfully to develop, grow and turn into a promising city.

The city was divided as into two parts. Upper town – it wealthiest aristocrats of Coimbra (also known as Almedina), and the lower town, where he lived poor and the middle class.

Tower Almedina was built near the arch Almedina approximately in the ELEVENTH century, during the reign of the House of Sisnando. Arch Almedina is the entrance to the old city and part of the fortification walls, which were built by the Arab conqueror of the Almanzora. During the conquest of the city by the Arabs and the walls exceed two miles, and the walls were powerful defensive system of the city, including the tower, and arch. The arch is also called the Door Almedina, these days it is possible to get to the upper city.

Over the centuries the tower was rebuilt many times. It protected the main entrance to the city, it was conducted around the clock surveillance. In addition, the tower was the headquarters of the municipal and legal authorities of the city. During one century, from the XIV to the XV century, the tower had a city Council, town hall. It later became the House of Soviets. The bell in the tower was convened at the meeting and informed of the time of opening and closing the gate.

Today the tower houses the Center of the city-fortress, a sort of Museum which tells the history of the medieval town and its fortifications. Also the tower houses the city archives.