21/05/2025
In Portugal, there is an extraordinary library where bats play a crucial role in protecting ancient books. In the Joanina Library of the University of Coimbra, they have lived among the intricately carved shelves for centuries, keeping the precious works free from harmful insects.
At night, they glide through the historic reading room, catching beetles and moths that might otherwise damage the delicate pages. To ensure the furniture remains intact, the tables are protected with leather covers in the evening before being thoroughly cleaned in the morning.
This library houses around 60,000 books, including rare manuscripts from the 16th and 17th centuries. Thanks to these silent night guardians, these treasures remain in astonishingly good condition to this day – a stunning interplay of history, nature, and knowledge.
More details/photos: https://hja.li/8ax4
