We traveled to Coimbra, home of the oldest University of the same name. It has a famous old library where you, unfortunately, cannot take pictures.

The entrance to the University is famous as a place where students, after they graduate, tear off their robes and hang them from the grate.

Athena, or Diana, of Greek/Roman mythology is seen all over the University as an homage to wisdom and learning.

Above is the old entrance (current exit) to the library. It was a beautiful! Again, a recommendation to any bibliophile.

The less ornate part of the library allowed pictures as seen above. They built this structure with walls so thick to help preserve the books. These are real first editions!

The University used to be a castle, and even the church was built with defense in mind. There were many attempts to conquer Portugal, so the structures were often built with that in mind.