biblioteca joanina - universidade de coimbra

Its a very nice attraction... Its like we are taken back a few hundred years. Although the price is a bit expensive, it might be worth a visit if you like to see old books (from a distance) and sealing paintings, known as frescos. The two floors under the library are also part of the attraction, although they are nothing special.

Just Beautiful!!! Don`t miss it!! One of the ex-libris of the city, you can also visit the University of Coimbra as it is just next door.

This impressive library is not to be missed. The volumes of ancient books are breathtaking and the inside of the building is incredible. Take time to take it all in and notice the details on the books. Loved this place!

unmissable if you like historical places, this tiny library is pricelles in historical books and building design. Speechless. No wonder it is a Unesco site.

We were group of students wanted to visit the library Monday 16th Feb. The behavior of one of the receptions (the lady) was so unfriendly. Besides, comparing most of the best attractions in the Europe the ticket is extraordinary expensive and unfair (9.5 EUR) . They didn't give any discount for having student card. Note: Photography is prohibited inside the library.

It's easy to be flabbergasted by the beauty of the place. When in Coimbra, this is a mandatory place to pay a visit. There are bats but don't worry. They only come out at night, when the library is closed to visits. (Bats are used to eat the insects that may destroy the ancient books there...)

Went up to the university by bus, the walk down is steep and takes a bit of effort. However, once you are there, it is well worth the trip. The university courtyard is massive and impressive, used to be a palace but given to the university by the king. The library is beautiful, all gold gilded and thousands of old, valuable books. The library has three storehouses for books below the main library. Met students wearing their original student garb. Later, downtown Coimbra we came across students singing and entertaining the crowds. Truly and experience.

A must see place, full of history. No description will provide a glance for what to expect. Just beautiful.

Great city, if you want to see it quickly use the tuc tuc, parked in the centre in summer. In expensive, great old buildings, nice people. Very relaxed

It's a very beautiful old university library. The walls are covered with ancient books. It is worthwhile a visit. An interesting fact is that the books are preserved from bugs by bats, which live in the library and hunt these biological pests.

Beautiful library and filled with very old books. Bats are kept here to come out at night and eat the insects. The tables are covered with leather at night for protection from bat droppings!

Get taxi here dont walk uphill its so hot here and very steep. Wonderful views and as its a Uni full of students. Great views and gets very hot. Lots good restaurants and cafes.Might be best to visit when Uni is out for Summer.

It is a noce place and there nothing to dislike, believe me, when I enter the "Biblioteca Joanina" I say to myself, I have been studying in this University for years and it is worth. I love it

Beautiful old university library. Walls are covered of very ancient books. You can feel the importance and the seriousness of the culture in the past. It was so important that there was a prison inside the library for bed students.

Recognised as the most sumptuous university library ever built and a masterpiece of the European Baroque, Biblioteca Joanina was built between 1717 and 1728 under the aegis of D. Joao V, who gave it its name (Joanina(). The building has three floors and about 200.000 works and the "Noble Floor" has around 40 000 works. All bibliographic works are in good condition because the building is a perfect vault and provides a perfectly stable environment throughout the entire year, summer or winter. In fact, the building`s construction was planned to be a book house, and therefore the exterior walls protecting these books are more than 2 meters thick. The door of this " safe " is made of teakwood which allows a constant temperature of 18 to 20 C. To help maintain such stable environment the relative humidity levels are 60% due to the fact that entire library`s interior covered in wood.