Paço das Escolas – Universidade de Coimbra

About the museum

Founded in 1290 by King D. Dinis, the University of Coimbra is the oldest Portuguese-language university. It was permanently established in Coimbra in 1537, during the reign of D. João III, and in 1544 moved into the present Paço das Escolas, the former Royal Palace. The building was constructed at the end of the 10th century as the citadel of the Muslim governor and, from 1131, served as the first Portuguese royal residence, inhabited by D. Afonso Henriques.

The Biblioteca Joanina, completed in 1728, is the supreme expression of Portuguese Baroque and holds some 60 thousand volumes from the 16th to 18th centuries. It functioned as the university library from 1777 until the first half of the 20th century. The Real Capela de São Miguel dates back to the 11th century and has its present layout from the 16th century, with 17th-century azulejos and an Iberian organ of about two thousand pipes, installed between 1733 and 1737.

With the Pombaline Statutes of 1772, the university modernised science teaching and created new spaces, such as the Observatório Astronómico, the Laboratório Químico and the Jardim Botânico. The University of Coimbra was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2013. Turismo UC organises the visit circuit, which includes the Paço das Escolas and, with a combined ticket, the Museu da Ciência.

Highlights

• Biblioteca Joanina, a masterpiece of Portuguese Baroque with some 60 thousand volumes
• Royal Palace, the first Portuguese royal residence from 1131
• Chapel of São Miguel with an 18th-century Iberian organ and azulejos
• Combined tickets with the Museu da Ciência and the Jardim Botânico
• UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013

Permanent exhibitions

• Biblioteca Joanina – Baroque library completed in 1728, with some 60 thousand volumes from the 16th to 18th centuries and the portrait of D. João V.
• Palácio Real e Capela de São Miguel – Former royal palace and chapel with azulejos and an 18th-century Iberian organ, in the heart of the Paço das Escolas.

Operated by

Universidade de Coimbra

Admission & discounts

The free-visit ticket for the Biblioteca Joanina, the Royal Palace, the Chapel of São Miguel and the Museu da Ciência costs €16.50 (adult) and is valid for two days; entry to the Biblioteca Joanina is by timed slot, so visitors are advised to arrive 5 minutes early. Tickets are non-refundable. Reduced prices are not stated in the sources consulted.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Some areas have obstacles and steps. The University Tower, currently closed, has 184 steps. Only service animals (guide dogs) are admitted.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The ticket office and information desk are on Rua Larga (40.207938, -8.424189), opposite the Faculty of Medicine.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Merchandise shops at the Paço das Escolas (09:00–17:45) and at the Museum (09:00–12:00 and 14:00–17:45).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit