The national library in Florence is part of immense historical and artistic heritage of his hometown. With its 135 Km of shelving is Italy's largest book store, and among the top 5 in Europe. A huge pride for our region, still crowded by Florentines and tourists.
A bit of history
The Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze originates from the private collection of Antonio Magliabechi, a noble man of letters lived in ' 600, consisting of approximately 30,000 volumes, left in 1714, according to his will, "for the benefit of the universal City of Florence".
With time, to give impetus to the library was established by Decree in 1737, a copy of all works that were printed in Florence was deposited in the library and from 1743 the Decree was extended across the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.
Its first opening to the public was in 1747 under the name of Magliabechiana.
Thanks to the Grand Duke Peter Leopold the library experienced a period of strong growth thanks to the fact that the Grand Duke joined the deeds of Mediceo-palatino-lotharingia to those of Magliabechiana. Thereafter the library grew more and more of great works of inestimable value.
With the newborn Kingdom of Italy in 1861, Francesco De Sanctis, then Minister of education, promulgated a decree, which established the unification of the Magliabechiana library with the great Palatine Library (consisting of Ferdinand III of Lorraine and continued by his successor Leopold II). The new Institute was renamed to the national library.
Since then her fame has not brakes. Today it is the only library in Italy able to the only one who can document in its entirety the unfolding of the cultural life of our country.
Information and access rules
The library is open fromMonday to Friday from 8.15 a.m. to 19.00 and Saturday from 8.15 at 13.30.
Saw the great importance and immense value guarded inside the library, there are a number of rules that must be respected. Including, can access the library all those who have completed the age of 16.
After presenting at the entrance to their own personal identity document is given a magnetic card valid for entry to the library and to manage all services within the Institute.
If you plan to visit the library, enjoy this date: every Saturday, except in August, 11.30 a.m. There is a free guided tour of the library.
If you are a group of people, you can organize, after a special request and its appointment, guided both the building to various domestic sectors and to library collections.
A monument to know that deserves to be explored and discovered.
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