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Coordinates: 47°25′22″N 9°22′35″E / 47.4228°N 9.3764°E / 47.4228; 9.3764
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{{short description|Monastery library in St. Gallen, Switzerland}}
[[Image:Stgallen_abbey_library.jpg|thumb|right|Abbey Library of St. Gall]]
{{Infobox library/wikidata|located=[[St. Gallen]]}}
The Abbey Library of St. Gallen was founded by Irish monk St. Gallus in 612.
The '''abbey library of Saint Gall''' ({{langx|de|Stiftsbibliothek}}) is a significant medieval monastic library located in [[St. Gallen]], Switzerland. In 1983, the library, as well as the [[Abbey of St. Gall]], were designated a [[World Heritage Site]], as "an outstanding example of a large Carolingian monastery and was, since the 8th century until its secularisation in 1805, one of the most important cultural centres in Europe".<ref name=UNESCO>{{cite web |title=Abbey of St. Gall |publisher=UNESCO World Heritage List |date=2019 |accessdate=29 Jan 2019 |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/268}}</ref> It is one of the oldest monastic libraries in the world.


== History and architecture ==
It is the oldest library in [[Switzerland]], and one of earliest and most important monastic libraries in the world. It holds 2,100 manuscripts dating back to the 8th through the 15th centuries, 1,650 [[incunabulum]]s (printed before 1500), and old-printed books. The library holds almost 160,000 [[volume]]s.
[[File:Abbey library of Saint Gall entrance.jpg|thumb|Entrance of the Abbey's library. On top of the entrance there is the Greek inscription: "ΨΥΧΗΣ ΙΑΤΡΕΙΟΝ", meaning "The Healing Place of the Soul".]]
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The manuscript B of the [[Nibelungenlied]] is kept here.


The library was founded by [[Saint Othmar]], founder of the [[Abbey of St. Gall]]. During a fire in 937, the Abbey was destroyed, but the library remained intact.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Murray|first1=Stuart|title=The Library: An Illustrated History|date=2009|publisher=Skyhorse Publishing|location=New York, New York}}</ref> The library hall, designed by the architect [[Peter Thumb]] in a [[Rococo]] style, was constructed between 1758 and 1767.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/stiftsbibliothek-abbey-library-stgallen.html|title=Abbey library of St. Gallen /Stiftsbibliothek (Abbey Library) St. Gallen|date=2017-01-19|language=en-US|access-date=2016-01-19}}</ref> A Greek inscription above the entrance door, {{lang|grc|ΨΥΧΗΣ ΙΑΤΡΕΙΟΝ}} ({{grc-transl|ψυχης ιατρειον}}), translates as "healing place for the soul".
The library books are available for public use, but the books printed before 1900 must be read in the Reading Room.
The library hall is built in a [[rococo]] style.


== Collections ==
In 1983 the library together with the [[Abbey of St. Gall]] were made a [[List of World Heritage Sites in Europe|World Heritage Site]], as "a perfect example of a great Carolingian monastery".
The library collection is the oldest in [[Switzerland]], and one of the earliest and most important monastic libraries in the world. The library holds almost 160,000 [[volume]]s, with most available for public use. In addition to older printed books, the collection includes 1650 [[incunabulum|''incunabula'']] (books printed before 1500), and 2100 [[Manuscript|manuscripts]] dating back to the 8th through 15th centuries; among the most notable of the latter are items of [[Insular script|Irish]], [[Carolingian minuscule|Carolingian]], and [[Ottonian art|Ottonian]] production. These [[codex|codices]] are held inside glass cases, each of which is topped by a carved [[cherub]] offering a visual clue as to the contents of the shelves below; for instance, the case of astronomy-related materials bears a cherub observing the books through a telescope.<ref>{{cite book|title=Berlitz: Switzerland Pocket Guide|date=April 1999|publisher=[[Berlitz Corporation|Berlitz Publishing Company]]|location=Princeton, NJ|pages=40–41|chapter=Where to Go|isbn=2-8315-7159-6}}</ref> Books published before 1900 are to be read in a special reading room.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Murray|first1=Stuart|title=The Library: An Illustrated History|date=2009|publisher=Skyhorse Publishing|location=New York, New York|page=288}}</ref>
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The manuscript B of the ''[[Nibelungenlied]]'' is kept here.


A virtual library was created to provide access to the manuscripts — Codices Electronici Sangallenses. Currently 174 manuscripts are preserved in digital format.
A virtual library has been created to provide broader access to the manuscripts: ''Codices Electronici Sangallenses''. This project has been expanded to include codices from other libraries as well and is operating under the name e-codices. Currently, more than 600 manuscripts from the Abbey library of Saint Gall are available in digital format.


The library is home to the mummy of [[Shep-en-Isis]].<ref name="ScienceTimes">{{cite web|title=3D Face Reconstruction of Mysterious Egyptian Mummy 'Shep-en-Isis' Who Died 2,600 Years Ago Revealed|url=https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/35711/20220121/3d-face-reconstruction-mysterious-egyptian-mummy-shep-en-isis-revealed.htm|access-date=22 January 2022|publisher=The Science Times}}</ref>
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== See also ==
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* [[Abbey of St. Gall]]
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* [[:de:Stiftsarchiv St. Gallen]]


== External links ==
== Manuscripts ==
* [[Codex Sangallensis 18]]
* {{ws|"[[s:Catholic Encyclopedia (1913)/Abbey of St. Gall|Abbey of St. Gall]]" in the 1913 ''Catholic Encyclopedia''}}
* [[Codex Sangallensis 48]]
* [http://www.stiftsbibliothek.ch Stiftsbibliothek Sankt Gallen]
* [[Codex Sangallensis 56]]
* [http://www.cesg.unifr.ch/en/index.htm Codices Electronici Sangallenses] — project for the digitisation of the medieval manuscripts at St. Gallen
* [[Codex Sangallensis 250]]
* [[Codex Sangallensis 878]]
* [[Codex Sangallensis 902]]
* [[Codex Sangallensis 1394]]

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== See also ==
{{portal|Catholicism|Switzerland}}
* [[Codex Sangallensis (disambiguation)]], several codices
* [[List of World Heritage Sites in Europe]]
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* [[:de:Stiftsarchiv St. Gallen]]


== Bibliography ==
== Notes ==
{{reflist}}
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* Beat Matthias von Scarpatetti: ''Die Handschriften der Stiftsbibliothek St. Gallen. Codices 547–669. Hagiographica, Historica, Geographica 8.–18.&nbsp;Jahrhundert.'' Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden 2003, ISBN 978-3-447-04716-6.
⚫
* Beat Matthias von Scarpatetti: ''Die Handschriften der Stiftsbibliothek St. Gallen. Codices 1726–1984 (14.–19.&nbsp;Jahrhundert). Beschreibendes Verzeichnis.'' Verlag am Klosterhof, St. Gallen 1983, ISBN 978-3-906616-02-5.


== References ==
⚫
* Beat Matthias von Scarpatetti: ''Die Handschriften der Stiftsbibliothek St. Gallen. Codices 547–669. Hagiographica, Historica, Geographica 8.–18.&nbsp;Jahrhundert.'' Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden 2003, {{ISBN|978-3-447-04716-6}}.
⚫
* Beat Matthias von Scarpatetti: ''Die Handschriften der Stiftsbibliothek St. Gallen. Codices 1726–1984 (14.–19.&nbsp;Jahrhundert). Beschreibendes Verzeichnis.'' Verlag am Klosterhof, St. Gallen 1983, {{ISBN|978-3-906616-02-5}}.
* {{cite book |title=International Dictionary of Library Histories |editor=David H. Stam |publisher=Fitzroy Dearborn |year= 2001 |ISBN=1579582443 }}


== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{commons|Codices Sangallenses}}
*[http://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/list/csg e-codices, St. Gallen, Stiffsbibliothek]
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* {{cite CE1913|wstitle=Abbey of St. Gall}}
* [http://www.stiftsbibliothek.ch Stiftsbibliothek Sankt Gallen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722015455/http://stiftsbibliothek.ch/ |date=2013-07-22 }}


[[Category:Archives in Switzerland]]
{{World Heritage Sites in Switzerland}}
{{Lists of World Heritage Sites}}
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[[Category:Benedictine monasteries in Switzerland]]
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Switzerland]]
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[[Category:St. Gallen|Abbey of Saint Gall]]


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[[Category:Abbey library of Saint Gall| ]]
[[de:Stiftsbibliothek St. Gallen]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in St. Gallen (city)]]
[[pl:Biblioteka Opactwa św. Gallena]]
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[[Category:Libraries in Switzerland]]
[[simple:Abbey library of St. Gallen]]
[[Category:Museums in the canton of St. Gallen]]
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[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Monastic libraries]]

Latest revision as of 06:53, 27 October 2024

Abbey library of St. Gallen
LocationSt. Gallen
Coordinates47°25′22″N 9°22′35″E / 47.4228°N 9.3764°E / 47.4228; 9.3764
Typememory institution
monastic library Edit this on Wikidata
Heritage designationclass A Swiss cultural property of national significance Edit this on Wikidata
Member ofKalliope Edit this on Wikidata
CountrySwitzerland Edit this on Wikidata
Websitewww.stiftsbezirk.ch
[edit on Wikidata]

The abbey library of Saint Gall (German: Stiftsbibliothek) is a significant medieval monastic library located in St. Gallen, Switzerland. In 1983, the library, as well as the Abbey of St. Gall, were designated a World Heritage Site, as "an outstanding example of a large Carolingian monastery and was, since the 8th century until its secularisation in 1805, one of the most important cultural centres in Europe".[1] It is one of the oldest monastic libraries in the world.

History and architecture

[edit]
Entrance of the Abbey's library. On top of the entrance there is the Greek inscription: "ΨΥΧΗΣ ΙΑΤΡΕΙΟΝ", meaning "The Healing Place of the Soul".

The library was founded by Saint Othmar, founder of the Abbey of St. Gall. During a fire in 937, the Abbey was destroyed, but the library remained intact.[2] The library hall, designed by the architect Peter Thumb in a Rococo style, was constructed between 1758 and 1767.[3] A Greek inscription above the entrance door, ΨΥΧΗΣ ΙΑΤΡΕΙΟΝ (psukhēs iatreion), translates as "healing place for the soul".

Collections

[edit]

The library collection is the oldest in Switzerland, and one of the earliest and most important monastic libraries in the world. The library holds almost 160,000 volumes, with most available for public use. In addition to older printed books, the collection includes 1650 incunabula (books printed before 1500), and 2100 manuscripts dating back to the 8th through 15th centuries; among the most notable of the latter are items of Irish, Carolingian, and Ottonian production. These codices are held inside glass cases, each of which is topped by a carved cherub offering a visual clue as to the contents of the shelves below; for instance, the case of astronomy-related materials bears a cherub observing the books through a telescope.[4] Books published before 1900 are to be read in a special reading room.[5] The manuscript B of the Nibelungenlied is kept here.

A virtual library has been created to provide broader access to the manuscripts: Codices Electronici Sangallenses. This project has been expanded to include codices from other libraries as well and is operating under the name e-codices. Currently, more than 600 manuscripts from the Abbey library of Saint Gall are available in digital format.

The library is home to the mummy of Shep-en-Isis.[6]

Manuscripts

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ "Abbey of St. Gall". UNESCO World Heritage List. 2019. Retrieved 29 Jan 2019.
  2. ^ Murray, Stuart (2009). The Library: An Illustrated History. New York, New York: Skyhorse Publishing.
  3. ^ "Abbey library of St. Gallen /Stiftsbibliothek (Abbey Library) St. Gallen". 2017-01-19. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
  4. ^ "Where to Go". Berlitz: Switzerland Pocket Guide. Princeton, NJ: Berlitz Publishing Company. April 1999. pp. 40–41. ISBN 2-8315-7159-6.
  5. ^ Murray, Stuart (2009). The Library: An Illustrated History. New York, New York: Skyhorse Publishing. p. 288.
  6. ^ "3D Face Reconstruction of Mysterious Egyptian Mummy 'Shep-en-Isis' Who Died 2,600 Years Ago Revealed". The Science Times. Retrieved 22 January 2022.

References

[edit]
  • Beat Matthias von Scarpatetti: Die Handschriften der Stiftsbibliothek St. Gallen. Codices 547–669. Hagiographica, Historica, Geographica 8.–18. Jahrhundert. Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden 2003, ISBN 978-3-447-04716-6.
  • Beat Matthias von Scarpatetti: Die Handschriften der Stiftsbibliothek St. Gallen. Codices 1726–1984 (14.–19. Jahrhundert). Beschreibendes Verzeichnis. Verlag am Klosterhof, St. Gallen 1983, ISBN 978-3-906616-02-5.
  • David H. Stam, ed. (2001). International Dictionary of Library Histories. Fitzroy Dearborn. ISBN 1579582443.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Stiftsbibliothek St. Gallen.
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