The Minerva Stairs (Escadas de Minerva) are a Baroque stairway at the top of Coimbra's hill, one of the ways into the Paço das Escolas, the old royal palace that has housed the University of Coimbra since the 16th century. They were rebuilt around 1724, at the same time as the famous Joanina Library next door. Above the arch stands a statue of Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, the university's emblem.
The Minerva Stairs at a glance
- Where: on the edge of the Paço das Escolas, the university's historic courtyard, beside the Joanina Library at the top of the Alta.
- Built: given their present form around 1724–1725.
- By: works directed by the architect Gaspar Ferreira; the Minerva sculpture is by Friar Cipriano da Cruz.
- What it is today: part of the University of Coimbra, Alta and Sofia UNESCO World Heritage Site, restored in the works carried out since 2004.
- Time needed: 10 minutes for the stairs, a couple of hours if you add the courtyard, the library and the palace.
From royal palace to university
The University of Coimbra was founded in 1290 in Lisbon and moved back and forth between the two cities until 1537, when King João III settled it in Coimbra for good. It moved into the royal palace on top of the hill, and the university later bought the building. Over the next centuries the palace was adapted to its new life: the Porta Férrea gate, the clock tower, the Via Latina colonnade of the 1770s and, in the early 18th century, a new library and new stairways to connect the university with the streets around it.
Around 1724 the architect Gaspar Ferreira was given the task of remaking these stairs between the university and the public street. The work went hand in hand with the building of the Joanina Library, the Baroque library begun under King João V, and the stairs were crowned with a sculpture by the friar Cipriano da Cruz evoking Sapientia, wisdom, in the form of Minerva. In 2013 the University of Coimbra, Alta and Sofia, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Minerva Stairs were among the parts of the palace restored.
What to look for
- Minerva above the arch: the goddess of wisdom, a reminder that the whole building is dedicated to learning.
- The Baroque stonework: the arch, balustrades and flights of steps.
- The Joanina Library: its richly decorated Baroque facade stands right beside the stairs.
- The view: from the top of the stairs you look out over the roofs of the Alta and the Mondego valley.
Students in capes
Coimbra's students still often wear the traditional academic dress, the 'traje', with a long black cape. You will see them crossing the courtyard and climbing these stairs, especially at the start of the academic year and during the Queima das Fitas, the student festival in May. The courtyard and the Porta Férrea gate are among the places where many of them have their graduation photos taken.
Tips for your visit
- Climb the stairs rather than just looking at them: the view opens up as you rise.
- Come early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the courtyard is quieter and the light is softer on the stone.
- The library, palace rooms and tower are visited with a ticket; book ahead in high season, as entry to the Joanina Library is by timed slot.
Nearby
- Joanina Library: one of the most spectacular Baroque libraries in Europe, right next to the stairs.
- Porta Férrea: the 17th-century gate into the university courtyard, a few steps away.
- Old Cathedral (Sé Velha): Coimbra's Romanesque cathedral, a short walk down the hill.
- Botanical Garden: the university's 18th-century garden, below the Alta.
See Coimbra with World City Trail
Our Coimbra scavenger hunt turns the old town into a game you play on your phone. The route links 10 stops and takes around two hours, with about 37 minutes of walking. It includes the Santa Cruz Church and the Praça do Comércio. You can play in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch or Portuguese.
If you prefer a different format, there is also a self-guided walking tour and an outdoor escape game in Coimbra.
Play the Coimbra scavenger hunt →
Take the self-guided walking tour of Coimbra →
Play the outdoor escape game in Coimbra →
Facts checked in October 2026.