Biblioteca Joanina Audio Guide
Explore Biblioteca Joanina with Stanza's GPS-triggered offline audio guide.
About the Tour
The Biblioteca Joanina is a baroque library located at the heart of the University of Coimbra. It is renowned for its ornate decorations and its significant collection of historical books.
What you will hear
The Baroque Portal and National Crest
Focus on the monumental entrance and the Portuguese coat of arms, which signifies the royal patronage of King John V.
The Royal Coat of Arms
Resting prominently above the entrance, the national crest of Portugal symbolizes the royal authority and immense wealth that made this library possible.
The Library Entrance Inscription
The brass inscription on these heavy doors marks the transition into a controlled environment where entry is strictly regulated to protect a priceless collection.
The Second Room: The Red Gallery
Move into the middle room, where the gold leaf is set against a vibrant red background, highlighting the exotic Brazilian woods used for the shelves.
Perspective of the Three Rooms
Looking through the aligned archways, you see a sequence of three rooms designed to evoke a sense of boundless knowledge through color and perspective.
The Third Room and the Bat Colony
In the final room (Gold on Black), explain the famous resident colony of bats that protects the 70,000 volumes from insects.
The Bat Colony Tables
These large tables host a surprising secret: a resident colony of bats that acts as the library's own natural pest control team.
Chapel of São Miguel
Conclude the tour by stepping outside to the adjacent Chapel of São Miguel, a Manueline masterpiece often visited alongside the library.
Chapel of Saint Michael
Adjacent to the library, the Chapel of Saint Michael offers a different visual experience, representing the spiritual half of the university's dual foundations.
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