The surprising bat mission in Coimbra, Portugal

You’ve probably already heard of the University of Coimbra in Portugal. It’s the oldest university in Europe, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And that’s not all! I’m telling you about this university today because I’d like to highlight the Joanina Library, which is located high up in the historic center of the University of Coimbra. This baroque-style library was voted the most beautiful university library in the world in 2012, and you’ll quickly understand why if you go there. Today, I’m not going to talk about the beauty of this library, but about a curious phenomenon that takes place there every night.

University of Coimbra, Portugal

Every night, a curious phenomenon unfolds in this library in Coimbra, Portugal. To protect its 60,000 books, the Joanina Library is populated by bats. Yes, you heard me right! There are bats in the library! But what are they doing?

Some of the many books in the Coimbra library in Portugal

The mission of these bats is to protect the books by chasing away insects that enter the library and risk damaging the books. Every evening, after closing time, library staff cover the reading tables to protect them from bat droppings, and every morning the floor is washed after the bats have gone out for the night. It’s an original system, but one that works very well, ensuring that the precious books in Portugal’s Coimbra library are protected without a hitch.

Interior of the Coimbra library in Portugal

Have you ever visited the Joanina Library in Coimbra, Portugal?

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