Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale

It is one of the most important European libraries, the largest in Italy with that of Rome, performs the functions of the Central National Library: it has approximately 6.000.000 printed books, 2.689.672 brochures, thousands of manuscripts, incunabula, sixteenth century editions and over 1.000.000 autographs. The shelves of the Library deposits undergo an annual increase of over one kilometer. Initially located on the premises of the Uffizi, it was opened to the public in 1747, with the name of Magliabechiana Library, and in 1861 was united with the Palatine Library, created by Lorena. Was transferred in 1935 in the current monumental building on Lungarno, in Santa Croce district, it built starting in 1911 by architect Cesare Bazzani, later expanded by Vincenzo Mazzei as rare examples of library building. The Florence flood of 1966 caused irreparable damage to the cultural heritage of the city: the proximity of the Library to the river meant that was completely flooded up to six meters high, in particular, were flooded underground storage facilities where they were preserved groups most precious. Many volunteers from all over the world, the so-called "Mud Angels" (remembered by Bruno Migliorini license plate placed in the entrance porch), worked tirelessly to recover the books and place them beyond awaiting restoration. The building, in Eclectic style with some Liberty hints, has a facade with turrets. The interior is organized along two axes that intersect in the large, monumental Hall of Distribution. The reading Room, a rectangular plant, is characterized by arches supported by columns with Ionic capitals.

Info:

Monday-Friday from 8:15 am to 7:00 pm; Saturday from 8:15 am to 1:30 pm.