Cities & Culture
Herzog August Library Wolfenbüttel
The Herzog August Library in Wolfenbüttel is one of the world's oldest perfectly preserved libraries, making it a fascinating place to visit and an unspoilt window on culture through the ages.
This library set up by Julius, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, in 1572 came to be the largest collection of books in Europe under the supervision of Duke Augustus the Younger, a scholar, collector of books and prince of peace. In fact, it was once considered to be the eighth Wonder of the World. The library building was built between 1883 and 1887 in the style of Florentine palazzo. And now, those mighty walls are home to a modern research library of international stature with around 1 million volumes, including 350,000 from the 15th to 18th centuries.
The library's museum rooms, such as the Augustus Hall, Treasury, Globe Room, Gallery and Painting Book Room, hold literary treasures from the past that never fail to amaze visitors. The most significant masterpiece in the Herzog August Library is undoubtedly the Gospels of Henry the Lion, one of the most magnificent manuscripts from the Middle Ages and one of the most significant relics of art history from the era. Having been purchased at an auction in London in 1983 for 32.5 million DM, the work finally found its forever home in Wolfenbüttel. Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday: 10 am–5 pm