Photos: Alvesgaspar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Alvesgaspar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo credits
Photos: Alvesgaspar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Alvesgaspar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
The Joanina library, from its doors
Your local guide
Beatriz Almeida
View profile
Highlights
- A gilded doorway a century in the making
- A shield carved above the entrance
- Gilded shelving described in detail
- A bat colony that guards the books
- The library's story, told from outside
About this tour
This session focuses on the entrance to the Joanina library, one of the most decorated in Europe, seen from its doorway and the courtyard outside since the chambers themselves stay closed to filming. Beatriz explains the gilded shelving and the bat colony that protects the books at night, a detail that sounds invented until it is properly explained. The session stays outside the doors throughout.
Beatriz keeps a slow pace at the doorway, giving enough time for the carving to register before stepping back to the courtyard. She answers detailed questions about what lies behind the doors, since she knows the interior from her own student years. A short note on visiting the library for yourself follows the call.
This suits anyone deciding whether the library is worth queuing for on their own visit. It also suits viewers who cannot travel but want a proper sense of what the building holds.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 5 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Coimbra before heading out.
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The library's gilded doorway 15 min
The camera holds on the library's ornate portal, added a full century after the building itself. Beatriz explains the shield above the door and who commissioned this addition.
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The courtyard outside 15 min
From the courtyard, Beatriz describes the three chambers behind the doors, their gilded shelving and the famous bat colony that eats the insects other libraries lose books to. She admits the camera cannot follow inside, but explains exactly what waits behind those doors.
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Your questions 7 min
Time to ask anything about Coimbra: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 3 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Arroz de lampreia and Baixa, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Lisbon time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 8 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Coimbra, showing you The library's gilded doorway and The courtyard outside live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need any background in art?
No. The guide explains what matters as you go, whatever you already know or do not.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I show you the university live with my phone.
Times shown in Lisbon time (WET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Mon 26 Oct · 8 seats left From 22,00 €
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