General Library of the University of Coimbra
Presentation
Opened in May 1956, the General Library was designed by Alberto José Pessoa and occupies the space of the former Faculty of Letters, where the old
16th-century building of the Colégio de São Paulo Eremita, which, after the extinction of the Religious Orders, was the headquarters of the Superior Council of Public Instruction, the Institute of Coimbra,
a Museum of Antiquities and Archaeology, the Academic Association of Coimbra, and the Academic Theater until its demolition in 1942 for the construction of the General Library.
The façade features six bas-reliefs sculpted by Duarte Angélico and António Duarte.
Schedule
The opening hours may vary depending on the time of year
Particularities
The Joanina Library is famous for its richly decorated interior and its ornate wooden shelves. Additionally, it houses a colony of bats that help control insects, contributing to the preservation of the books.
Extra Information
The library organizes guided tours and cultural events, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of its collection and history.
Aspetos Diferenciadores
The combination of history, impressive architecture, and the integration of natural elements, such as the bat colony, makes this library unique.
History
Before the University’s definitive transfer to Coimbra in 1537, there was already a local library called the Livraria de Estudo.
Over the centuries, the library expanded significantly, acquiring valuable collections, including the purchase of books from Flanders by the bookseller Pedro Moniz.
During the reign of King João V, the Joanina Library was built, a magnificent building that houses works predating 1800.
In the 20th century, with the construction of the University City, the New Building was inaugurated in 1962, housing around one million titles.
General Library of the University of Coimbra
Largo da Porta Férrea
3000-447 Coimbra
www.uc.pt