Herzog August Library

The Herzog August Library (German: Herzog August Bibliothek — "HAB"), in Wolfenbüttel, Lower Saxony, is one of the most important libraries in the world for studying books and writings from the Middle Ages and early modern Europe. It has many rare and valuable items, including old manuscripts and printed books that help us learn about history.

The library is also called Bibliotheca Augusta. It is overseen by the Lower Saxony Ministry for Science and Culture, which works to keep its collections safe and available for researchers and visitors.

With its rich collection, the Herzog August Library helps preserve cultural history and lets people learn about the past. It is a special place where anyone can see and study amazing pieces of our world's heritage.

History

The Herzog August Library in Wolfenbüttel was started by Duke Julius of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the 1500s. He collected books while studying in France and later added important collections, including books from a Nuremberg official and monastery libraries.

The library was expanded by Duke Augustus, and it was named after him. Over many years, even during wars, the library’s collection stayed safe. Today, it has many rare and old books, including about 11,500 manuscripts and 900,000 printed books, some from the 1400s. Famous people who have worked there include Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, a well-known scientist and philosopher.

Significant manuscripts

The Herzog August Library has many important old books and writings. One famous item is a palimpsest called Codex Guelferbytanus 64 Weissenburgensis. It has hidden texts inside it. Other important items include the Gospels of Henry the Lion, a book named Liber Floridus from around 1150, and nine special books that once belonged to King Matthias Corvinus. The library also has a unique copy of Luther's Wolfenbüttel Psalter. It has notes Martin Luther made when he studied the Psalms.