Coimbra University

Coimbra University, with 25,000 students, is Portugal's Oxford. It's the oldest (founded in 1290) and most prestigious university in Portugal.

From our guest house, we took the little electric minibus up the hill and got off at the university. It cost €1.60.

Purchase your ticket (€12.50) to visit the old campus at the building across the street from the Science Museum. You'll need a timed ticket for King Joao's Library.

Enter the old campus through the Porta Ferrea--the Iron Gate. It was being renovated during our visit. You'll see students in the traditional black cape.

The interior courtyard of the old campus, a former royal palace.

There is a statue of King Joao III, who established the university in Coimbra.

To visit King Joao's Library, walk down the stairs near King Joao's statue.

The timed admission to King Joao's Library starts in the Academic Prison.

Next up is a floor with overflow books.

You're not allowed to take pictures inside King Joao's Library. You have 10 minutes to soak it all in.

You exit King Joao's Library through these doors.

The next set of doors is St. Michael's Chapel portal but you can't enter through these doors.

Instead, use these doors to access St. Michael's chapel. Walk inside and knock at the doors on the left. You'll be let in after you show your ticket.

The altar with Jacob's Ladder symbolizes the steps the faithful take to reach heaven.

18th century German-built organ with horizontal trumpet pipes in St. Michael's Chapel.

The last building to visit in this courtyard is the former Royal Palace. This room is the armoury.

The Grand Hall, originally the throne room, is now the site of the university's major academic ceremonies, such as oral exams and graduation.

Former royal stateroom is where students used to take their oral exams.

Near the Old Campus is the Se Nova de Coimbra.

The Science Museum is the last museum to visit using your ticket.

Inside, you'll find science displays and an interactive room.

After the Science Museum, return to the Porta Ferria and the square with boxy modern buildings. In the 1940s, Salazar tore down half of the old town to build these university halls.

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