The Biblioteca Joanina is the jewel of the university and one of the great baroque libraries of the world: three towering halls built from 1717 to 1728 under King João V, whose portrait presides over the gilded perspective of exotic-wood shelves, chinoiserie lacquer and trompe-l'oeil ceilings.
Some 60,000 volumes from the 16th–18th centuries line the cases, served by hidden ladders and protected by a famous workforce: a small colony of bats that roosts behind the shelves and eats the insects that would eat the books — the tables are leathered over each night against their droppings.
Visits are timed (about 20 minutes, entered through the lower prison floor and academic library), included in the university's combined ticket; book the slot early in the day, as they sell out.
Highlights
- Three gilded baroque halls completed in 1728
- 60,000 volumes of the 16th–18th centuries
- Resident bats protect the books from insects
- Entered via the medieval academic prison
- Timed 20-minute visits — slots sell out
History & context
Built 1717–1728 at the order of João V, Portugal's gold-rich baroque king, as the university's noble library; it has kept books, gilding and bats in continuous service ever since.
🗓️ Best time to visit
First slots of the morning, before the day's allocations sell out.
⏱️ Duration
20–30 minutes (timed)
♿ Accessibility
Entry through lower floors involves stairs; the noble floor is level once reached.
Frequently asked questions
Are there really bats?
Yes — a small colony roosts behind the shelves and hunts book-eating insects at night; the historic tables are covered to protect them.
Do I need to book?
Strongly advised — entries are timed and limited; buy the combined university ticket early in the day or online.