Vatican Apostolic Library, Vatican

Vatican Apostolic Library is a real treasury of the human civilization. The library has an architectural, cultural and historical value. There are more than one million printed books, as well as ancient manuscripts, codes, incunabula, coins, and even interior objects in the Vatican Apostolic Library.

History of the Vatican Library

The Vatican Apostolic Library was founded in the 15th century on the initiative of Pope Nicholas V. But the collecting of books and scrolls began before that, therefore it is common to divide the history of the library into 5 periods.

Pre-Lateran period

The period begins with the founding of the Catholic Church and continues until the archiving of documents in the Lateran Palace. From this period remained the smallest part.

Lateran period

At this time (4th century) the library was moved to the Lateran Palace. The end of the period is the end of the 13th century, when the palace was set on fire and looted by King of France Philip IV.

In the 8th century, the post of Vatican librarian was established. The most valuable collection of the Lateran period was created at the end of the 13th century by Pope Boniface VIII. It included illustrated miniatures codes, as well as Greek manuscripts.

Avignon period

In 1318, the collecting of the third Vatican library began. At this time, the pope's residence was not in Rome, but in Avignon, France. In history this period is called as the Avignon captivity of the popes. During the reign of the seven popes in Avignon, a significant collection gathered.

Pre-Vatican period

The period lasted from 1370 to 1446. The collection was scattered between Rome, Avignon and elsewhere.

Vatican period

The library was given a new life by Pope Nicholas V. In 1451 he wanted to open a library in the Vatican. He collected 350 Latin, Greek and Jewish codes. The manuscripts from the Imperial Library in Constantinople were ones of the most valuable. By his order, Greek classical works were translated into Latin, which further expanded the collection. A few years later, the library had about 1200 books.

The official opening of the library in the Vatican is considered to be the year of 1475. This happened already with Pope Sixtus IV. The library was named Palatine. In the middle of the 15th century it had the largest collection of books in the Western world.

The progress of the library falls on the 18th and 19th centuries. Then the library's funds were actively replenished with manuscripts and printed publications from all over Europe and the Middle East. Among the documents were kept personal letters of many famous historical figures. A reading room and a laboratory were opened for the restoration of ancient works. In 1992, the library collection numbered almost 2 million samples.

Collection of the Vatican Library

The collection of the Vatican library is easier to see through the numbers:

• The oldest documents of the Apostolic Library date back to the 1st century.
• Each year, the library replenishes about 6.000 new books.
• Part of the library's treasures is 330.000 Greek, Roman and Papal coins and medals.
• Among the most famous collections of the library there is Codex Vaticanus Graecus 1209. This is the oldest almost complete manuscript of the Bible.
• During the restoration of the library from 2007 to 2010, all 70.000 volumes in the library were marked with electronic chips to prevent theft.
• The library stores about 75.000 codes of different periods of history. There are 1.1 million printed publications in the Vatican Library, including 8500 incunabula.
• In the halls of the library there are hundreds of non-book works of art that are used as decorations. These are paintings, sculptures, furniture and much more.
• The total length of the library's shelves is 42 km.

The Vatican Library continues to collect historical documents, conducts research and restoration work.

Halls of the Vatican Library

The Library is located inside the Vatican Palace, and the entrance is through the Belvedere Courtyard.

Each hall of the library is a work of art. The walls are decorated with frescoes. Most of them are attributed to the Renaissance. The frescoes depict biblical stories or plots from the secular life of popes. History reigns here. It seems that time is losing its power within the walls of the library.

Who can visit the Vatican Library

To get into the Vatican Library are allowed:

• scientists and researchers with relevant scientific publications;
• teachers and researchers of higher educational institutions;
• PhD students who conduct research for a doctoral dissertation;
• as an exception, students who can prove the need to work with documents in the Vatican Library.

Access to the Vatican library can get about 150 scientists at a time. In the library, from 4000 to 5000 scientists a year work and study. Mostly they are graduate students. On the official website of the Vatican Library, electronic copies of part of the collections are available.

Some halls of the Vatican Library can be visited as part of an organized tour in the Vatican.

How to get there

To get to the Vatican from Rome you can by a regular bus from the central bus station. Buses run every 40 minutes. Then it is better to take the metro. You need to get off at Ottaviano station. Then walk to the library about 800 meters.

The library is open: from Monday to Friday from 8:45 to 12:00. On Tuesday and Thursday: from 15:00 to 16:00.