UNIVERSITY OF COIMBRA

In June 2013, the University of Coimbra was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its architectural and cultural value as it was for several centuries the only Portuguese university. The students of Coimbra are proud of their university: some still wear the traditional student costume since the creation of the University, a black suit for the boys, a black suit for the girls, with a black tie and cape as well as colored ribbons. You will not miss the sound of the "cabra" (the goat), the nickname given by the students to the bell that calls them to duty.
Founded in 1290 in Lisbon by King Denis, the University was transferred to the Royal Palace in Coimbra in 1537, thanks to João III. Students and professors in big black capes, library with a thousand golden grimoires, medieval prison (under the library), as well as the mystical Hall of Acts, Yellow Hall and Hall of Private Examination, with heavy candlesticks and halberds hanging on the walls, nothing is missing!

Outside. The entrance to the University, the Iron Gate (Porta Férrea), is a beautiful example of ^17th century architecture. In the center of the school square (in Manueline style, enriched by an arcaded gallery called Via Latina) stands a statue of King João III. The baroque tower of almost 33 meters high was erected under João V.

The Joanina Library. Built in the Baroque style in wood with gilding from the ^18thcentury, it was built during the reign of King João V in 1728. The three large rooms in a row are sumptuously decorated with ebony tables, jacaranda (precious wood from Brazil) and chinoiseries (the real ones). The trompe l'oeil painted ceilings are very high and the walls are covered with gilded and polychrome oak shelves (lacquered with red, green and gold), containing 60,000 volumes from the ^16thto the ^18thcentury. These are mainly volumes dedicated to law, theology, letters and philosophy. It is possible to consult the copies present by indicating the reason for the research. Finally, you should know that a colony of bats has been installed in the ceiling cornices to eat any insects that venture in! To protect the library from the droppings of these protected, the tables are covered every evening with a leather cover, what a work!

The Saint-Michel chapel. This chapel was the seat of the brotherhood of professors and students. Built in the ^16thcentury, it owes its current form to two successive renovations from the ^16th to the ^18th century, such as the beautiful Mannerist altar, the "carpet" type azulejos and the enormous Baroque organ with strange Chinese motifs, purchased during the reign of João V in 1733.

The old palace. Four rooms can be visited in the University; they are located in the royal wing of the old palace, when Coimbra was the "capital" of the Kingdom in the Middle Ages.
The Hall of Acts, the main one, served as the Throne Room during the first Portuguese dynasty (1143-1383). Today it is used for various academic ceremonies, and is known as the Hall of the Capelos because during the defense of theses, the doctoral student receives from the rector the borla (headdress symbolizing intelligence) and the capelo (short silk and velvet cloak symbolizing science).
The Hall of the Private Examination was originally the king's room! Today it is decorated with portraits of the University's rectors, some of whom have made history. The ceiling shows allegories of theology, law, canon law, and medicine.
The Hall of Arms displays the halberds of the Royal Academic Guard.
The Yellow Hall owes its name to the symbolism of the color yellow for medicine.

The Academic Prison. Don't miss the visit to this prison where students who did not respect the rules or values of the University were locked up. This type of prison existed in all the universities of the Middle Ages, the one in Coimbra was closed in 1834, the year academic privileges were abolished.

The College of Jesus. During the reform of university education, led by King João III, the Society of Jesus founded one of the most important Jesuit colleges in the world. Its transfer to the University of Coimbra in the ^18th century was a consequence of the reform of the Marquis of Pombal, who wanted to change the basis of modern scientific education and research in Portugal. In the second half of the ^18th century, the following were installed here: the Physics Cabinet, founded by Dalla Bella to support the discipline of experimental physics, which today preserves the collection of instruments and apparatus used in the ^18th and ^19th centuries; and the Natural History Gallery, where thousands of animals, birds and insects are displayed, which delighted students in the ^18th and ^19th centuries. The College of Jesus also contains a new attraction, the Cabinet of Curiosities, with an atmosphere of mystery and discovery: an authentic mix of objects from indigenous tribes, corals, animal skins and physical instruments. Finally, the FRA exhibit recreates the university life experience of Coimbra students, from traditional Republics to Serenades, from the bell of the University Tower to ceremonies like the Burning of the Ribbons.