Purus was born with a purpose that goes beyond accommodation management: to restore and breathe new life into historic buildings, preserving their essence and returning soul to the heart of the city. Each property we rehabilitate follows a clear mission: to revitalise Coimbra’s historic centre, so that the city may gain more character, more stories lived in its streets, and a deeper “soul” felt by those who visit. What sets us apart is our respect for the architecture of the past. We specialise in restoring distinguished manor houses, former colleges, and bourgeois townhouses, mostly from the 19th century, carefully preserving features such as solid wood staircases, tall windows, original stonework, and period ironmongery. Our goal is not simply to rebuild walls, but to recover identity and restore the authenticity of the city centre’s historic buildings, contributing to a more vibrant and lively Coimbra. When choosing to stay in one of our properties, such as Casa da Sé, guests can expect modern comfort thoughtfully integrated into spaces of remarkable heritage: practical kitchenettes, air conditioning, high-speed Wi-Fi, warm lighting, and decorative details that honour the story of each building. Guests will find an experienced, attentive, and approachable team, committed to making every stay effortless, comfortable, and enriched by the cultural weight of the place, because believing in the city also means believing in the buildings that tell its story.

Deeply rooted in the history of Coimbra, Casa da Sé is located on the former Rua dos Açougues, now Rua do Cabido, one of the oldest streets in the city, formed after the construction of the Old Cathedral and named after the bishop’s and chapter’s butcher shops. At the heart of university life, it offers unique views over the rooftops of Coimbra, the University Tower, the dome of the Old Cathedral, the Mondego River, and the convents of Santa Clara and São Francisco, blending the old with the modern. During its restoration, original wooden doorways and exposed stonework were carefully preserved, maintaining the building’s authenticity and creating a harmonious dialogue between past and present. Casa da Sé also played a central role in Coimbra’s political and social life in the 20th century, housing in the 1940s the Ateneu de Coimbra, a space of resistance against the Salazar regime and a hub for political debate. With windows framing this unique landscape, Casa da Sé stands as a symbol of Coimbra’s history and culture, where the past intertwines with the present and every guest becomes part of a living story.

Located on the historic Rua do Cabido, Casa da Sé sits in the heart of Coimbra, just steps from the Old Cathedral, a remarkable example of 12th-century Romanesque architecture. Descending the Quebra Costas steps, you reach the Arco de Almedina and the Baixa, with the Church of Santa Cruz, Largo da Portagem, and the Mondego River, all witnesses to centuries of history. At the top of the hill are the Machado de Castro Museum, the New Cathedral, and the University of Coimbra, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the epicentre of learning and student life. Casa da Sé blends rich historical heritage with the city’s vitality, offering a complete immersion into the soul of Coimbra.