University of Coimbra: Joanine Library

Pátio das Escolas - 3000 Coimbra
Phone: (+351) 239.859.841

URL: University of Coimbra: Joanine Library

University of Coimbra: Joanine Library
The Baroque library of the University of Coimbra, built in the 18th century during the reign of John V (and named after him), exhibits the national coat of arms over the entrance door.

Inside, there are three great rooms divided by decorated arches, bearing the same style of the portal and entirely executed by Portuguese artists.

The walls are covered by two storied shelves, in gilded or painted exotic woods; the painted ceilings, by the Lisbon artists Simões Ribeiro and Vicente Nunes, blend harmoniously with the rest of the decoration.

The libray contains about 200,000 volumes, namely works of medicine, geography, history, humanistic studies, science, civil and canonical law, philosophy and theology.