The old university occupies the buildings of the former royal palace that were restored and remodelled to become the Paço dos Estudos in 1540. It is home to a superb library containing 30 000 books and 5 000 manuscripts arranged by subject. The Manueline-style chapel houses a fine 18C organ. Take in the delightful panoramic view of the town from the outer terrace that runs along the rear of the building. The university complex was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2013.
