Biblioteca Casanatense – Roma

Description

The public, state-owned Casanatense Library in Rome, managed by the Ministry of Culture, is specialised in the conservation, promotion and protection of rare manuscripts and printed material. It is a perfectly preserved example of an 18^th century library with a significant collection and original furnishings. Cardinal Casanate (1620-1700) left his personal effects and library to the Dominican Friars of the Convent of Santa Maria sopra Minevra in Rome so they could create a library for study and research. The architect, A.M. Borioni, planned a building in the convent’s cloister: a vast, austere room of great elegance with a double row of wall shelves whose wooden signs indicating the sections of science and other research areas are still preserved today. One of the 18^th and 19^th centuries’ most extensive and important libraries, the Casanatense Library passed to the Italian State in 1884 with more rooms added over time, forming the present-day structure.

ROOMS:

• Monumental Salon (18^th century): 60.15 m long x 15.30 m wide. For safety reasons, maximum capacity is 110 approx. people. The room has no heating or air conditioning. A technical walkthrough is always recommended.
• Catalogue room and Reading room (early 20^th century).

Position on map