Leslie Massey
The Austrian National Library is located in Vienna, in the former Habsburg residence of the Hofburg Palace. It is the largest library in Austria and one of the largest depositories in the world, housing over 7.5 million books, including 14th-century manuscripts, and 16th-century globes. The Grand Hall, also known as the Prunksaal, is a beautiful example of Baroque architecture, with richly decorated wooden shelves that hold over 200,000 historic books. The library has a long history, dating back to the mid-15th century, and was founded by the Habsburgs. It was renamed the Austrian National Library in 1920 after the Republic of Austria was proclaimed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Heldenplatz, Vienna, Austria |
| Address | Hofburg Imperial Palace, Josefsplatz, Vienna |
| Date founded | 1735 |
| Number of books | Over 7.5 million |
| Number of objects | Over 12 million |
| Reading rooms | 3 levels |
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$58.16 $65
What You'll Learn
- The Austrian National Library is located in Vienna's Imperial Palace, specifically in the former Habsburg residence, the Hofburg Palace
- The library is Europe's largest Baroque library, with luxurious interiors
- It has more than 7.5 million books, manuscripts, maps, paintings, and other objects in its collection
- The Grand Hall or Prunksaal is a highlight, with rich decorations, frescoes, and statues
- The library has a long history, dating back to the 14th century, with various reorganisations and name changes over time
The Austrian National Library is located in Vienna's Imperial Palace, specifically in the former Habsburg residence, the Hofburg Palace
Over the years, the library has undergone several name changes and reorganisations. After the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved by Napoleon and the Austrian Empire was proclaimed, the library was reorganised under custodian Paul Strattmann. It was given a three-way viewpoint: it served as the library for the educated class of the capital, the national library of the Austrian Kaiserthum, and the library of the Hofburg.
In 1920, after the proclamation of the Republic of Austria, the library was renamed the Austrian National Library. It continued to collect and archive all publications appearing in Austria, including electronic media and the works of Austrian authors published abroad. The library also holds a significant collection of priceless manuscripts, first-print publications, papyrus, globes, antique maps, paintings, musical instruments, and sculptures.
The Grand Hall of the Austrian National Library is a highlight of the library, boasting luxurious Baroque interiors. It is almost 80 meters long and 30 meters high, crowned by a mighty dome. The hall is adorned with a colourful fresco by court painter Daniel Gran, depicting the "becoming a god" of Emperor Charles VI, who commissioned the library's construction in 1723. The Grand Hall is considered one of the most beautiful library rooms in the world.
The Austrian National Library is a must-see attraction in Vienna, offering a unique blend of culture and art. It is a living bridge between the rich heritage of the past and the modern demands of an information society. With over 7.5 million books in its collection, it is the largest library in Austria and one of the largest depositories in the world.
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The library is Europe's largest Baroque library, with luxurious interiors
The Austrian National Library is located in Vienna, housed within the Imperial Palace. It is Europe's largest Baroque library, with luxurious interiors and a rich history.
The library's origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when the Imperial Family began collecting books. However, it was not until 1723 that Emperor Charles VI ordered the construction of the magnificent Grand Hall, also known as the State Hall, which was completed in 1726. The hall is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture, designed by the renowned court architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and adorned with intricate frescos by court painter Daniel Gran.
The Grand Hall is an impressive space, measuring almost 80 metres in length and 30 metres in height. At its centre, a grand dome soars upwards, surrounded by lavish decorations in stucco, marble, stone, and metal. The wooden bookshelves are richly adorned, housing over 200,000 historic books and manuscripts from the years 1501 to 1850. Among these are priceless collections, such as the 15,000 volumes of Prince Eugene of Savoy, bound in exquisite leather, and one of the largest collections of Reformation writings by Martin Luther.
The library's collection is not limited to books; it also boasts a diverse array of artefacts. These include precious papyrus scrolls, antique globes and maps, paintings, musical instruments, and sculptures. The library's attention to preservation and presentation is evident, with a recent overhaul of the wooden surfaces using laser technology, ensuring the space remains immaculately maintained.
The Austrian National Library is more than just a repository of knowledge; it is a testament to the country's cultural heritage. With its luxurious Baroque interiors and vast collection of rare treasures, it continues to attract visitors from around the world, offering a unique glimpse into Austria's rich historical and artistic legacy.
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It has more than 7.5 million books, manuscripts, maps, paintings, and other objects in its collection
The Austrian National Library, located in Vienna's Imperial Palace, is home to a vast collection of over 7.5 million items. This includes books, manuscripts, maps, paintings, and other valuable objects. The library's main task is to collect and archive all publications originating from Austria, including electronic media and foreign publications by Austrian authors. The collection encompasses a wide range of subjects, reflecting the diverse interests of the nation and its rich history.
The library's history dates back to the 18th century when Emperor Charles VI commissioned its construction in 1723. Over the years, the library has undergone several reorganisations and name changes, reflecting the political and social shifts in Austria. During the Napoleonic era, when the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved and the Austrian Empire rose, the library's collection expanded to include not only German-language books but also works from Slavic and Hungarian languages.
An important addition to the library is the papyrus collection acquired from antique dealer Theodor Graf. This collection holds significant historical value. The Austrian National Library also possesses a notable collection of scientific works, thanks to the efforts of Doctor Gerard van Swieten and his son Gottfried van Swieten, who were physicians to Maria Theresia. They played a crucial role in supplementing the library's scientific collection and introducing a card index system for efficient inventory management.
The Grand Hall of the Austrian National Library is a stunning example of Baroque architecture and is considered one of the most beautiful library rooms in the world. The hall boasts richly decorated wooden shelves that house over 200,000 historic books, with works dating from 1501 to 1850. The magnificent fresco by court painter Daniel Gran adds to the grandeur of the space, depicting the "becoming a god" of Emperor Charles VI.
The Austrian National Library is a cultural landmark, attracting visitors from around the world. With its extensive collection and impressive architecture, it stands as a testament to Austria's literary and historical heritage. The library continues to evolve, adapting to modern technologies with an electronic system implemented in 1995 to manage its vast collection.
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The Grand Hall or Prunksaal is a highlight, with rich decorations, frescoes, and statues
The Austrian National Library is located in Vienna's Imperial Palace. The library is housed in a building dating back to the 18th century, when Emperor Charles VI decided he needed a grand space to house his books. The State Hall or Prunksaal is a highlight of the library, with its rich decorations, frescoes, and statues.
The Grand Hall is an impressive space, almost 80 metres long and 20 to 30 metres high, crowned by a dome. The hall is adorned with intricate frescoes, including a colourful depiction of the "becoming a god" of Emperor Charles VI, who commissioned the library's construction in 1723. This scene is also captured in a marble statue in the centre of the hall, directly beneath the dome. The Grand Hall houses 128 historic bookshelves and cabinets, displaying over 200,000 works from the years 1501 to 1850.
The wooden bookshelves are richly decorated, featuring gildings and intricate carvings in stucco, marble, stone, and metal. In 2022, the bookshelves underwent a general overhaul, with lasers used to deep-clean the timber surfaces and thousands of loose or missing pieces of wood replaced. The Grand Hall also features four magnificent Venetian globes, two depicting the earth and two the sky, each with a diameter of over one metre.
Among the notable collections on display in the Grand Hall are approximately 15,000 volumes bound in red, blue, and yellow Morocco leather, belonging to Prince Eugene of Savoy. The hall also houses one of the largest collections of Reformation writings by Martin Luther. These rare works are too fragile to be handled and are kept safely behind glass.
The Prunksaal is accessible via the entrance at Josefsplatz, in the Hofburg complex. Visitors can purchase tickets to explore the Grand Hall and other museums in the association, such as the House of Austrian History and the Literature Museum. The Vienna City Card offers discounted admission to these attractions, as well as public transport and dining discounts.
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The library has a long history, dating back to the 14th century, with various reorganisations and name changes over time
The Austrian National Library, located in Vienna, is the largest library in Austria, with over 12 million items across various collections. It is also one of the oldest libraries in the world, dating back to the 14th century.
The library was established in 1368 by Duke Albrecht III and has undergone several reorganisations and name changes over the centuries. Initially founded as the Imperial Court Library (Kaiserliche Hofbibliothek) by the Habsburgs, it gained a new three-way viewpoint in the 19th century under custodian Paul Strattmann following the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire and the proclamation of the Austrian Empire. The library's focus shifted to cater to the needs of the capital's Classe, requiring instruction, literary rarities, and the Hofburg court. This shift in collection politics led to the inclusion of not just German-language books but also works from the Slavic and Hungarian linguistic areas.
In 1920, after the proclamation of the Republic of Austria, the library was renamed the Austrian National Library, marking the end of the Habsburg Monarchy. During the Nazi period, the library served as a transit camp for seized works heading to German libraries. Many of these seized works were retained by the library even after the fall of the Nazi regime.
In 1945, the library was renamed once more as the Austrian National Library, and its collection focus gradually shifted back towards Central and Eastern Europe. To accommodate its growing collections, the library moved to the Neue Burg Wing at Heldenplatz in 1966, where new reading halls were established. Today, the Austrian National Library continues to embrace technology, digitising its collections to improve accessibility for global users.
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Frequently asked questions
The Austrian National Library is located in Vienna, Austria.
The entrance fee to the Austrian National Library is €10 for adults and €8 for seniors.
The Austrian National Library holds collections of manuscripts, first-print publications, papyrus, globes, antique maps, paintings, musical instruments, and sculptures.
The Austrian National Library was founded in 1735 by a decree from Kaiser Karl VI from the collection of books of the imperial family dating back to the Middle Ages. It is housed in the former Habsburg residence, the Hofburg Palace, and features luxurious Baroque interiors.
