Joanina Library of the University of Coimbra

Category: Civil Architecture > Library

District: Coimbra > Coimbra > Coimbra > Alta Universitária

Location

The Joanina Library is located in the heart of the highest part of Coimbra, integrated into the University's Paço das Escolas (Royal Palace of Schools). This area, known as Alta Universitária (University Heights), is situated at an elevated point in the city, offering a unique perspective over the historic center and the urban surroundings. Its central position in the academic life of the University of Coimbra makes it a visible and accessible landmark for anyone exploring this historic and symbolic part of the city.

Baroque Splendor

Built in the 18th century, the Joanina Library is a remarkable example of Portuguese Baroque architecture. Its construction was authorized by King D. João V, a monarch known for his deep interest in culture and the arts, and the library perpetuates his memory. Upon crossing the imposing portal, crowned by the royal coat of arms, visitors are enveloped by an atmosphere of grandeur, where art and knowledge meet in perfect harmony. It is a testament to the royal ambition of creating a library of excellence that would rival the most sumptuous in Europe.

The Noble Floor

On the main floor, one discovers the essence of the Joanina Library: three rooms interconnected by triumphal arches, each with a distinct and luxurious color scheme, gold contrasts with black, red, and green backgrounds. The walls are lined with oak wood shelves, intricately carved with gilded and polychrome details, rising two stories high. The ceilings, richly painted with allegories, celebrate knowledge and divine wisdom, inviting close inspection. In the center of the first room, a portrait of King D. João V, painted by Domenico Duprà, dominates the space, symbolizing his authority and patronage.

Unexpected Guardians

Beyond its beauty, the Joanina Library is a true "strongbox" designed for the conservation of books. Its exterior walls, over two meters thick, and the dense, durable oak wood shelves, contribute to a stable environment. A notable and uncommon curiosity is the presence of colonies of bats that have inhabited the building for at least two and a half centuries. These nocturnal mammals play a crucial role in the natural control of insects that could damage the precious volumes, requiring the reading tables to be covered daily with leather "towels."

Secrets of the Lower Floors

The Joanina Library extends over three levels, and the lower floors reveal other facets of its history. The intermediate floor, with its more rustic finishes and visible marks of ancient stonecutters on the stones, served various functions, from supporting the guards of the academic prison to book storage and exhibition space. Further down, one finds the old Academic Prison, a medieval-origin dungeon that operated until the mid-19th century. This space reflects a period when the University of Coimbra possessed its own jurisdiction over its community, and even today it is possible to observe the original cells and the transformations that occurred over the centuries.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt