The Academic Prison

Since the 14th century, the University of Coimbra enjoyed a certain legislative and judicial autonomy conferred by the so-called "Forum or academic justice", which aimed to protect the university community by granting various privileges. An example of this was the creation of an exclusive jail for this population, who would thus not have to coexist with other criminals in the public prison. This prison was recognised in the University Statutes approved in 1591. There, disciplinary incidents (e.g., theft of books, improper conduct, or ideological disagreements) were mainly punished. It should be noted that the fulfilment of the punishments, generally not very severe, did not exempt from attending classes.

The "academic prison" is located on the underground floor of the Joanine Library and is the result of the adaptation of an old 15th century jail, made at the time of the Pombaline Reform of the University (i.e. in 1772). Before, the prison was located underneath the Sala dos Capelos (a manifestly unfortunate choice for such a noble location!).

The academic prison, which tried to guarantee a minimum of security and sanitary conditions (note that the latrines are still visible), was composed of some common cells and of two individual cells: the so-called "Secrets", where inmates would be alone with their conscience, meditating on their errors. There would also be a visiting room and an oratory, since destroyed, which is a clear sign of the importance of religion in the public and private sphere.

The Academic Forum was extinguished with the Liberal Revolution of 1820, and the prison facilities were used for correctional purposes. The prison was then moved to the Colégio de São Boaventura, founded by King John III in the Lower Town, near the Santa Cruz Church. Today, you can visit the old prison floor of the Joanine Library, where 14,500 books are now housed. On this ground floor, there is also a disinfestation or purge chamber, where oxygen is replaced by nitrogen: dozens of boxes of books at risk are placed inside this large chest and, after 21 days, the books are disinfected.