St. Gall Abbey library
History
The St. Gall Abbey library is one of the oldest and most significant monastic libraries in the world, located in St. Gallen, Switzerland. The library is part of the Abbey of St. Gall, which was founded in the 8th century by the Irish monk Saint Gallus. The abbey became a major center of learning and culture during the Carolingian Renaissance, and its library has been a repository of knowledge for over a millennium.
The library's collection began to grow significantly under the abbacy of Abbot Gozbert (816-837), who constructed the first dedicated library building. The collection was further expanded by subsequent abbots, including Abbot Hartmut (872-883), who is credited with organizing the library's catalog.
Architecture
The current library building, constructed in the 18th century, is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. Designed by architect Peter Thumb, the library hall is renowned for its ornate wooden bookshelves, intricate carvings, and stunning ceiling frescoes. The frescoes, painted by Austrian artist Josef Wannenmacher, depict various scenes related to the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.
The library hall is approximately 50 meters long, 10 meters wide, and 10 meters high. It features a central nave with two side aisles, separated by wooden columns. The floor is made of intricately patterned parquet, and the walls are lined with wooden bookshelves that reach up to the ceiling. The shelves are adorned with busts of classical authors and philosophers, emphasizing the library's role as a center of learning.
Collection
The St. Gall Abbey library houses an extensive collection of manuscripts, incunabula, and early printed books. The library's holdings include over 160,000 volumes, with approximately 2,100 manuscripts dating from the 8th to the 15th centuries. The collection is particularly rich in Carolingian and Ottonian manuscripts, many of which were produced in the abbey's own scriptorium.
Among the most famous manuscripts in the library's collection is the St. Gall Plan, a 9th-century architectural drawing of a monastic compound. The plan is the oldest surviving architectural drawing from the medieval period and provides valuable insights into the design and layout of early medieval monasteries.
Another notable manuscript is the Codex Sangallensis 48, a 9th-century illuminated manuscript of the Gospels. The codex is renowned for its intricate illustrations and elaborate decorations, which reflect the high level of artistic skill and craftsmanship of the St. Gall scriptorium.
Preservation and Digitization
The St. Gall Abbey library has made significant efforts to preserve its valuable collection for future generations. The library's manuscripts and rare books are stored in climate-controlled conditions to prevent deterioration. In addition, the library has undertaken extensive restoration projects to repair and conserve damaged volumes.
In recent years, the library has also embraced digitization as a means of preserving and sharing its collection with a wider audience. The Codices Electronici Sangallenses (CESG) project, launched in 2005, aims to digitize the library's medieval manuscripts and make them accessible online. To date, hundreds of manuscripts have been digitized and are available for viewing on the library's website.
Research and Scholarship
The St. Gall Abbey library continues to be an important center for research and scholarship. Scholars from around the world visit the library to study its unique collection of manuscripts and early printed books. The library also collaborates with academic institutions and research organizations to promote the study of medieval history, literature, and art.
The library hosts regular conferences, workshops, and exhibitions that highlight various aspects of its collection and the history of the abbey. These events provide opportunities for scholars to share their research and engage in interdisciplinary discussions.