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Coimbra has been called A cidade dos estudantes (The city of the students) or Lusa-Atenas (Lusitan-Athens), mainly because it is the site of the oldest and one of the largest universities in Portugal – the University of Coimbra, a public university whose origins can betraced back to the 13th century. On June 22, 2013, UNESCO added The University of Coimbra to its World Heritage List

General Library

Even before 1537, the year when the university was definitively established in Coimbra, transferred for its last time from Lisbon, a library was already in operation in the city. It was called Livraria de Estudo (Study Library). Based on the inventories of 1513 and 1532, more than 120 manuscript volumes were stored at the library. After the university refounding of 1537, the Livraria de Estudo was reinstalled and opened for students and professors, 4 hours a day. The statutes of 1559 already determined 6 hours of functioning a day, and the statutes of 1571 and 1597 called it livraria pública para lentes, estudantes e quaisquer pessoas outras (public library for lecturers, students and everybody else). In 1705 the library was closed and about 20 years later a new library was established-–the Biblioteca Joanina (Joanina Library, named after King João V). By the reform which occurred in 1901, the library was renamed Biblioteca Central da Universidade (Central Library of the University).The current designation of the library, Biblioteca Geral da Universidade de Coimbra, came in 1924, and its current main building is from 1962. The library is divided in two buildings:The Biblioteca Joanina (books before 1800)The main centre Edifício Novo (the New Building, 1962)

The main centre Edifício Novo (the New Building, 1962) with over a million books ranging almost every possible field of study, 4 floors and over 7000 m2.In accordance with the aesthetics adopted for the University City of Coimbra, the building of the General Library followed a monumental and classicist style, with sober and austere features, being stylistically similar to the Faculty of Letters across from it.

The uniformity given by the use of multiple pilasters and by the repetitive positioning of the windows was broken with the placement of two sculptural groups by António Duarte on the extremities of the façade in 1951.Between these sculptures there are six allegorical bas-reliefs done by the artist Angélico: Biology, Physics and Mathematics are represented on the left side, and Grammar, Logics and Ethics on the right side.

General Library

General Library Sala de Leitura Painel cerâmico de Jorge Barradas

General Library Sala de Leitura Painel cerâmico de Jorge Barradas

General Library

The Iron Gate welcomes the entry into the building that was the Citadel of Coimbra, the old palace of the Alcáçova The entrance and exit of the Iron Gate are crowned by the representation of Wisdom - the symbol of the University that also appears in the paved walk that precedes the entry

The library building that inspires numerous tourists and has garnered recognition from numerous publications is the Joanina Library, also commonly referred to as the Baroque Library of the University of Coimbra.

Iron Gate

Built in the 18th century, the Joanina Library, a Baroque library, is other notable landmark of the ancient university

Construction on the Joanina Library began in 1717 and continued until 1728. This era saw the rise of Portugal from a deep economic turmoil into an age of prosperity due to economic reform, and the accession of King João V, a leader who was not only popular with the people but also a wealthy benefactor for numerous projects. Along with a grand monastery, the Aqueduct of Free Water, and several hospitals and factories, Joao V funded the rebuilding of the university’s library.

Statue of King João III, who based the University permanently in Coimbra and the entrance to Joanina Library

Academic Procession - Ceremony of Foundation of

the Coimbra Group of Brazilian Universities.

Door detail

Escada caracol

biblioteca Joanina

The architecture and decor of the Joanina Library exemplifies the rich and ornate Baroque style with an abundance of gilded finishes. The interior is divided into three great rooms that are separated by grand and ornate archways and are filled with two-story bookshelves, topped by richly painted ceilings.

King Joao V

In 1962 the New Building

was completed and now acts as the main library area,

housing more than one million

volumes and access to modern

technology. Together the

Joanina library and the New

Building library serve as the

General Library of the University

of Coimbra.

In 1901 the library was renamed the University Central Library, Biblioteca Central, as smaller libraries were being formed in individual departments, and gained its current title of General Library in 1924.

Rio’s Francis and Olivia Hime are one of the most respected couples in the world of Brazilian music

The Joanina Library remains a functioning service of the General Library. The newest of the 70,000 volumes housed in this building date from the early 1800s and can be accessed by university faculty and students through a process of application and approval.

The Joanina Library was built with thick walls and teak doors that aid in keeping humidity and heat out, as well as shelves that are made of oak which is known as a hard wood for insects to infest

One of the most famous items located here is a manuscript of the Abravanel Bible, dated 1401-1450, and is one of only 20 Hebrew Bibles known to survive the Inquisition from the Iberian Peninsula.

Text and pictures: Internet

Copyrights of the photos belong to each photographer

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanu

www.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound: Fado de Coimbra - Toada Beirã (Luiz Goes)