Germany has over 11,000 libraries. Libraries are not just repositories for books: They are also cultural treasure chests that reflect the spirit of a nation. What better time to explore libraries than during the cold and dark months during winter! Here are a few inspirational sources complied from Internet recommendations.
Learning German
If you want to learn German or read in German, take a trip to Berlin to the State Library. This library is home to over 11 million books. It houses everything from historical manuscripts to modern resources and in-house learning programs. If you are in Bavaria, you could visit the Bavarian State Library in Munich. The library is especially well-known for its collection of rare maps and musical scores. The German National Library in Frankfurt and Leipzig is the central archive for all German language publications from in and outside the country. It is a great resource for research requests.
Beautiful Libraries Worth a Visit
Germany has some stunning libraries that you won’t want to miss. The Anna Amalia Bibliothek in Weimar is named after a patroness of the arts and literature and is famous for its Enlightenment literature collection. It is situated in a beautiful baroque building. The library suffered a devastating fire in 2004 but has since been fully restored. Guided tours are available on request.
Anna Amalia Library in Weimar (Photo: www.klassikstiftung.de)
Several monasteries are also homes to extensive libraries and beautiful classical architecture. For example, the Maria Laach Jesuit Library in Rhineland-Palatinate is a 19th century gem and one of the best preserved libraries from the time. Over 260,000 items are stored in its galleries which are accessible by curved balustrades leading up from cast-iron staircases. Many other beautiful monastery libraries can be found throughout the country.
The Göttingen State and University Library in Göttingen is home to one of the few remaining original Gutenberg Bibles and is also cited for its classical beauty.
For those interested in modern design, the Stuttgart Library, designed by Sun Young Yi, looks like a cube. Its facade is composed of large square panels and exposed concrete with glass blocks. Illuminated in blue at night, the library is one of the most frequently photographed sites in the city. It is said to be a top location for Instagram postings!
Stuttgart Library (Photo: Alamy)
And last but not least, a visit to the Berlin Philological Library could provide some ‘intellectual’ stimulation. The building, designed by star architect Lord Norman Foster, has a spectacular cranial shape and is known as ‘the brain’. The library is dedicated to the philological studies of linguistics and literature.
Berlin Philological Library (Photo: WikiArquitectur)
Why Go to the Library?
Whether it is for an excuse to get out of the house, go for a browse, or find a space with a bit of peace and quiet, libraries are havens for our minds and spirits. They offer a chance to go to places and make new experiences through reading. They can inspire and educate. They can mold us and our children to be better people. And they are free!
As Albert Einstein said: “The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library”.
Have a good winter!
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