Museum
National Library of Romania
National Library of Romania is a museum.
About National Library of Romania
Overview
The National Library of Romania (Biblioteca Națională a României) is the national library of the country, located at 22 Unirii Boulevard in central Bucharest. It serves as the primary repository for all publications produced in Romania, aiming to administer the national patrimony of publications by purchasing, preserving, and making documents available for research and study. The institution operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture and holds a collection of approximately 13 million items, encompassing books, manuscripts, periodicals, and audiovisual materials.
History & Founding
The roots of the library trace back to the Saint Sava College library, which opened in 1859. Following the Union of 1859, the library was officially designated as the national library. In 1864, it was renamed the Central Library of the State. A significant administrative shift occurred in 1901 when all collections were ceded to the Romanian Academy Library, which then held the national library attribute until 1955. In 1955, the State Central Library was organized with national library attributes. After the collapse of the communist regime in 1989, the institution was once again renamed the National Library of Romania.
Building & Architecture
Construction of a new, larger location for the library began in 1986 between Piața Unirii and Nerva Traian. The initial lead architect was Cezar Lăzărescu, who died in 1986 before the building was completed. Following the 1989 revolution, construction stalled for several years due to a lack of funding, despite some parts being finished or in an advanced state. The project was reassigned to the Ministry of Culture in 2009, which completed the construction in 2011, with the official opening taking place in 2012. The construction cost was reported to be €110 million. Prior to moving to this new building, the library occupied the Bucharest Chamber of Commerce Palace from 1949 to 2008.
Collection Highlights
The library's collection comprises approximately 13 million items. Notable holdings include 162 incunabula, over 20,000 old Romanian and foreign books, and nearly 11,000 rare books. The special collections include Bibliofilie (Rare books), Manuscrise (Manuscripts), Arhiva Istorică (Historical Archive), and Periodice românești vechi (Old Romanian newspapers). The manuscript collection includes 36,759 old and modern manuscripts. A significant highlight is the Codex Aureus of Lorsch, which is kept at the Batthyani Library branch in Alba Iulia. The library also holds extensive holdings in prints, photographs (70,000 original photographs), maps, and audio-visual documents.
Branches & Significance
The National Library of Romania operates several branches, including the Special Collections in Bucharest, the Batthyani Library in Alba Iulia, and the Omnia branch in Craiova. The institution plays a critical role in preserving the national written heritage and reconstituting the history of national culture. It functions as a strategic partner for cultural recovery projects, such as the partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Romania. The library provides public access through reader permits and offers guided tours of its public spaces, serving as a hub for study, cultural events, and conferences.