Exploring Vienna: Austrian National Library On The Ringstrauss

The Austrian National Library, also known as the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, is located in the heart of Vienna and is considered one of the most important cultural institutions in Austria. With over 12 million items, including books, manuscripts, maps, photographs and prints, it is the largest library in Austria. The library is housed in the Neue Burg Wing of the Hofburg Palace, with some collections located in the Baroque structure of the 18th-century Palais Mollard-Clary. The State Hall, built in the 18th century as part of the former Court Library, is a highlight of the library, boasting a breathtaking 80-metre length and 20-metre height. The intricate decorations, including a dome and numerous frescoes, create an imperial flair. The Austrian National Library is a must-see for anyone interested in architecture, history, or books.

The Austrian National Library is located in the Neue Burg Wing of the Hofburg Palace in Vienna

The library has a rich history that began in the 14th century with Duke Albrecht III, who established the first book collection in 1368. It was originally known as the Imperial Court Library and was founded by the Habsburgs. The name was changed to the Austrian National Library in 1920 after the end of the Habsburg Monarchy and the establishment of the Austrian Republic.

The Hofburg Palace, where the library is located, is a magnificent complex in the heart of Vienna. The library's main building, the Palais Mollard-Clary, is a stunning example of Baroque architecture designed by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach in the 18th century. The interior features a grand staircase, ornate ceilings with intricate frescoes, marble columns, and statues.

The State Hall, located within the library, is a highlight for many visitors. Built in the 18th century, it boasts an impressive 80-metre length and a 20-metre height. The hall is adorned with an intricately decorated dome, frescoes, and four large Venetian globes, each over a metre in diameter. The State Hall houses over 200,000 tomes and is considered one of the most beautiful baroque libraries in the world.

The Austrian National Library is more than just a collection of books; it is a place of knowledge and history. With its commitment to digitisation, the library ensures that its treasures are accessible to people worldwide. The library also includes five special museums: the State Hall, the Papyrus Museum, the Globe Museum, the Esperanto Museum, and the Literature Museum.

It is the largest library in Austria, with over 12 million items in its collection

The Austrian National Library is the largest library in Austria, with over 12 million items in its collection. It is located in the Neue Burg Wing of the Hofburg Palace in the heart of Vienna. The library is not just a place to store books but also a treasure trove of knowledge and history.

The Austrian National Library was founded by the Habsburgs and was originally called the Imperial Court Library. In 1920, after the fall of the Habsburg Monarchy and the proclamation of the Austrian Republic, it was renamed the Austrian National Library. The library has a long history that dates back to the Middle Ages and the imperial library of the Austrian Duke Albert III (1349-1395). Albert III was a connoisseur of art and is known for translating important works from Latin to German. The oldest book in the library's collection is the golden Holy Gospels, which was owned by Albert III and transcribed by Johannes of Troppau in 1368.

The Austrian National Library's collection includes over 3.9 million books, as well as eight special departments with unique objects such as manuscripts, incunabula, music autographs, photographs, maps, and globes. The library is also home to four museums: the State Hall, the Papyrus Museum, the Globe Museum, and the Esperanto Museum.

The State Hall, built in the 18th century, is a breathtaking example of Baroque architecture. It is 80 metres long and 20 metres high, with an intricately decorated dome and numerous frescoes that create an imperial flair. The State Hall houses over 200,000 tomes, including four magnificent Venetian globes, each with a diameter of over one metre.

The Papyrus Museum holds one of the most significant collections of papyri and other artefacts, some of which are over 3,000 years old. The Globe Museum is the only public globe museum in the world and contains over 380 globes, some dating back to the 16th century.

The Austrian National Library is not just a place for scholars and researchers but also for anyone who appreciates history, architecture, and art. It is a place where one can immerse themselves in an unforgettable experience and marvel at the grandeur and beauty of the library's interior.

The library was founded in 1368 by Duke Albrecht III and was originally called the Imperial Court Library

The Austrian National Library, founded in 1368 by Duke Albrecht III, was originally called the Imperial Court Library. The library has a rich history that dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was known for housing valuable books and treasures. Duke Albrecht III, also known for his passion for art, played a significant role in establishing the library. He kept his treasure, which included valuable books, in two sacristies inside the south tower of the chapel in his castle.

During this time, books held great symbolic and sacred value, often kept in treasure chambers alongside jewels, gems, and curiosities. The Imperial Court Library was no exception, as it was home to some of the most valuable books, either inherited or specially commissioned. One of the oldest books associated with the library is the 1368 golden Holy Gospels, transcribed by Johannes of Troppau, a priest at Landskron and canon in Brno. This gospel book, adorned with gold letters and intricate illustrations, was owned by Duke Albrecht III and featured the coats of arms of the provinces he ruled at the time: the House of Austria, Styria, Tyrol, and Carinthia.

Over the centuries, the library underwent several name changes and relocations. In 1920, following the end of the Habsburg Monarchy and the establishment of the Austrian Republic, the Imperial Court Library was renamed the Austrian National Library. Today, it is the largest library in Austria, boasting over 12 million items across various collections. It is located in the Neue Burg Wing of the Hofburg palace in Vienna and includes four museums, special collections, and archives.

The Austrian National Library has a long and fascinating history that reflects its evolution from a medieval treasure chamber to a renowned library housing millions of valuable items. Duke Albrecht III's contribution to its foundation laid the groundwork for its extensive collection of books and artifacts, making it a significant cultural institution in Austria.

The State Hall is a beautiful example of Baroque architecture, with intricate decorations, frescoes, and a dome

The Austrian National Library is a beautiful example of Baroque architecture, with intricate decorations, frescoes, and a dome. The State Hall, built in the 18th century as part of the former Court Library, is a breathtaking 80 metres long and 20 metres high. The hall is divided into two opposite "war" and "peace" sides, with the wall frescoes reflecting this theme, created by the court painter Daniel Gran. The fresco in the central dome represents a kind of apotheosis of Emperor Charles VI, whose image is held by Hercules and Apollo. The dome is supported by two massive pairs of columns, the "pillars of Hercules", which present Charles VI's motto, "Constantia et fortitudine" (by persistence and courage).

The State Hall is adorned with intricate decorations, including gildings, stucco, marble, stone, and metal. The wooden bookshelves are richly decorated and house over 200,000 historic books from 1501 to 1850. Among these are the 15,000-volume collection of Prince Eugene of Savoy, bound in red, blue, and yellow Morocco leather, as well as one of the largest collections of Reformation writings by Martin Luther. The hall also features four magnificent Venetian globes, each with a diameter of over one metre.

The State Hall is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture, with its elaborately decorated dome, intricate frescoes, and impressive collection of historic books. The hall's intricate decorations and impressive size create an imperial flair that has awed visitors from all over the world.

The library has five special museums: the State Hall, the Papyrus Museum, the Globe Museum, the Esperanto Museum, and the Literature Museum

The Austrian National Library, the largest library in Austria, houses five special museums: the State Hall, the Papyrus Museum, the Globe Museum, the Esperanto Museum, and the Literature Museum.

The State Hall

The State Hall, also known as the Prunksaal, is the central structure of the old imperial library and part of the Hofburg palace. It was constructed per the orders of Emperor Charles VI in 1722 and completed in 1723. The hall is almost 80 meters long and 30 meters high, and is crowned by a mighty dome. The richly decorated shelves of the State Hall hold over 200,000 historic books. The collection includes the red, blue, and yellow Morocco leather-bound books from the library of Prince Eugene of Savoy, as well as one of the largest collections of Reformation writings by Martin Luther.

The Papyrus Museum

The Papyrus Museum, located in the Neue Burg Wing of the Hofburg Palace, displays around 200 ancient papyrus objects from a collection of about 180,000. The collection, which dates back to the 15th century BCE to the 16th century CE, also includes papers, records on clay tablets, inscribed wood and wax trays, stone tablets, leathers, textiles, and inscribed gold, silver, and bronze articles. It is the largest papyrus collection in the world.

The Globe Museum

The Globe Museum, located in the magnificent setting of the Palais Mollard, is the only public museum of its kind in the world. The museum showcases over 250 exhibits with a total of 750 objects, including terrestrial and celestial globes, globes of the moon and other planets, and various astronomical instruments. The principal part of the inventory consists of globes that existed before 1850.

The Esperanto Museum

The Esperanto Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of planned languages, with a focus on Esperanto. The permanent exhibition features interactive media stations, historic posters, and archive records. Visitors can learn about the publication of the first Esperanto textbook in 1887, the language's rapid spread before World War I, its suppression during the time of National Socialism, and its use today.

The Literature Museum

The Literature Museum of the Austrian National Library traces the history of Austrian literature from the 18th century to the present. It showcases the works of renowned Austrian authors such as Johann Nestroy, Arthur Schnitzler, Franz Kafka, and Friederike Mayröcker. The museum is housed in the former k.k. Hofkammerarchiv (Imperial and Royal Hofkammer Archive), constructed in 1848 as the archive of the central authority of the Habsburg monarchy.

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