32 Hidden College Campuses That Look Like Something Out of a Dream

16. University of Coimbra (Portugal): Bats, Capes, and Ancient Rituals

One of Europe’s oldest universities, Coimbra breathes history, but with wonderfully quirky details. Its stunning Baroque library, Biblioteca Joanina, famously employs colonies of bats nightly to protect ancient books from insects. Students still don traditional black capes (traje académico) associated with unique initiation rituals and hierarchies ('Praxe'). Explore the university's former academic prison or admire the intricate Azulejo tiles. Coimbra isn't just old; it's a living repository of centuries-old traditions and charming eccentricities, making it feel enchantingly out of time.