University of Coimbra, Public university in Coimbra, Portugal
The University of Coimbra is a public institution in the city of Coimbra, Portugal, with several buildings on a hilltop above the Mondego River. The complex includes faculties, libraries and administrative spaces within structures from different centuries.
King Dinis I founded the institution in 1290 initially in Lisbon, before it moved several times between the two cities. King John III relocated it permanently to Coimbra in 1537 and expanded the campus with new colleges.
The Royal Chapel displays Manueline azulejo tiles from the 16th century, while students wear black capes that mark their academic affiliation. These traditions still shape the appearance of the campus today, connecting past with present.
Visitors can explore the upper campus, where the historical buildings stand, while the lower section mainly hosts modern teaching facilities. The main entrance sits close to the old town and is reachable on foot from there.
Bats live inside the Joanine Library and protect the old books from insects at night. The librarians cover the reading tables each evening with leather cloths to shield them from bat droppings.
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