Austrian National Library

Austrian National Library (Österreichische Nationalbibliothek) is clearly the largest library in Austria, and it hosts over 12 million items or various types in its multiple collections. It was established in 1368 by Habsburgs as Imperial Court Library (Kaiserliche Hofbibliothek), which makes it one of the oldest continually functioning libraries in the world. The name Austrian National Library came in place when it was handed over to Austrian Republic in 1920, after the end of Habsburg era.

The Austrian National Library (Österreichische Nationalbibliothek) in Vienna is one of the most significant and impressive cultural institutions in Austria. Here are detailed facts, figures, and visitor information:

Facts and Figures

History and Background

• Established: Founded in 1368 as the Imperial Court Library.
• Original Purpose: Initially served as the library for the Habsburg monarchy.
• Current Status: Became the Austrian National Library in 1920 after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
• Location: Located in the Hofburg Palace, Josefsplatz 1, 1015 Vienna, Austria.

Library Collection

• Size of Collection: Approximately 12 million items, including books, manuscripts, maps, globes, photographs, and other media.
• Rare Collections: Houses one of the world’s largest collections of incunabula (books printed before 1501), significant medieval manuscripts, and the famous Prince Eugene of Savoy’s collection.
• Notable Items:
  • The Vienna Dioscurides, a 6th-century illuminated manuscript of a Greek herbal.
  • The Tabula Peutingeriana, a Roman map of the world.
  • The Codex Vindobonensis, a Mayan manuscript.

Architecture and Features

• State Hall (Prunksaal):
  • Constructed between 1723 and 1737 by architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and his son.
  • The hall is 77.7 meters long, 14.2 meters wide, and 19.6 meters high.
  • Contains approximately 200,000 volumes, with frescoes by Daniel Gran.
• Other Sections: The library also includes the Map Collection and Globe Museum, the Papyrus Collection, the Picture Archives and Graphics Department, and the Esperanto Museum.

Visitor Information

Opening Hours

• State Hall (Prunksaal):
  • Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Thursday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Closed on Mondays
• Other Collections: Opening hours vary, so it is recommended to check the official website or contact the library for specific details.

Admission Fees

• State Hall (Prunksaal):
  • Adults: €10
  • Reduced (seniors, students): €7.50
  • Children and youth (under 19): Free
• Combination Tickets: Available for access to multiple sections of the library, providing a discount on the total price.

Guided Tours

• Availability: Guided tours are available and provide in-depth information about the library’s history, architecture, and collections.
• Languages: Tours are typically offered in German and English.
• Booking: Recommended to book in advance, especially for group tours.

Facilities and Services

• Accessibility: The library is wheelchair accessible with ramps and elevators.
• Cloakroom: Available for storing coats and bags.
• Café: On-site café offering refreshments.
• Gift Shop: Sells books, souvenirs, and publications related to the library.
• Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi available in public areas.

How to Get There

• Public Transport:
  • Subway (U-Bahn): U1, U2, U3 to “Stephansplatz” station or U3 to “Herrengasse” station.
  • Tram: Lines 1, 2, D, 62 to “Burgring” stop.
  • Bus: Lines 2A, 3A to “Hofburg” stop.
• Walking: Located in the heart of Vienna, within walking distance of major attractions such as St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Palace.

Visitor Tips

• Plan Ahead: Check the library’s official website for current exhibitions, events, and any changes in opening hours or admission fees.
• Photography: Non-flash photography is generally allowed, but restrictions may apply in certain areas or for specific exhibits.
• Explore Thoroughly: Allocate enough time to explore different sections of the library, including the Map Collection, Globe Museum, and special exhibitions.
• Special Exhibitions: The library often hosts temporary exhibitions, so look out for these for a unique experience.

Today, Austrian National Library is a center of research and repository of books, newspapers, historical texts on law and judicial matters, pictures and invaluable collections of original works of famous composers, such as Beethoven. Large portion of stored items is also available online and very convenient for students and science and history researchers.

Austrian National Library has several museum sites under its umbrella:

State Hall is a baroque style hall built in 18^th century as a part of former Imperial Court Library and it hosts 200,000 books, manuscripts and other library items. There are also four ancient globes from Venetian era. The hall is long and with a high ceiling and central cupola painted by Court artist Daniel Gran. The hall has several statues of Habsburg and European monarchs from the past.

Literary Museum showcases Austrian literature from the end of the 18th century until the present day in the themed historical sections. Presentations of Austrian literature are intertwined with references to arts, music and theatre arts as a unique and common intersection of literature and performing arts in the country.

Globe Museum focuses on terrestrial and celestial globes and related artefacts before the year 1850. The focus is both on cartographic and artistic part of the globes and maps, both of Earth and the sky and their attempt to each tell us a story of the past times. Globe museum hosts the oldest terrestrial globe in Austria made by Gemma Frisius in 1536.

Papyrus Museum hosts several hundreds of papyrus-based document, both literary and non-literary from various periods, but mostly focusing on the time between 1500 BC to 1600 AD. Fragments of works from many cultures are preserved here: Egyptian, Greek and Latin literature, Egyptian Book of the Dead, the Bible, the Quran and other religious texts as well.

Esperanto Museum is one of the world’s oldest language museums and among the most important institutions of its kind. It documents Esperanto and around 500 other planned languages from around the world.

House of Austrian History (Haus der Geschichte Österreich) is the first Austrian museum of contemporary history. The exhibition focuses on the period starting in 1918 and modern Austrian Republic and tries to open the discussion on the past in order to better understand the present and the future of the country.

As you can see, Austrian National Library is a diverse and complex institution that preserves history and builds knowledge for present generations, which will be definitely used in the future. If you are visiting Vienna, you should allocate two days to fully enjoy all museum sites. If you are moving to Vienna, the library will be invaluable part of your life here.

Conclusion

The Austrian National Library is a treasure trove of historical and cultural artifacts, offering visitors a chance to explore Austria’s rich literary and intellectual heritage. With its stunning architecture, vast collections, and central location, it is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history, literature, and art.