Rome is bursting with incredible architecture and art that you can enjoy for free just by strolling around. But if the bustling churches, overwhelming museums, and noisy urban environment get too much, you might find solace in the peaceful atmosphere of an old library.
These historic spaces are not just havens for ancient manuscripts and rare book collections; they also transport you back to a time of religious institutions and scholars like Galileo Galilei. Imagine Albert Einstein admiring the celestial globe in Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei or Borromini envisioning the plans for the grand Biblioteca Vallicelliana.
Whether these libraries are Renaissance or Baroque, religious or secular, they all beautifully encapsulate centuries of wisdom and creativity. Every architect aimed to showcase the books in the most exquisite way, and they undoubtedly succeeded.
If you can visit only one library in Rome, make it this monumental book room, which offers free public access Monday to Friday from 11:30 to 13:00. Inaugurated in 1701, the library was established thanks to Cardinal Girolamo Casanate, who left his 25,000 books to the Dominicans of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, provided the library remained open to the public. His generous funding also supported a college of six international Dominican scholars dedicated to defending and promoting Catholic doctrine. The library initially focused on religious and theological subjects but expanded to include Roman law, economics, and Roman history. After being nationalized in 1870, the library now houses about 400,000 volumes, with 60,000 in the public Salone Monumentale, or Ancient Hall.
Biblioteca Angelica, founded by Augustinian bishop Angelo Rocca in 1604, was the second public library in Italy. Rocca gifted 20,000 manuscripts to the Augustinian library, found a suitable building, and ensured its upkeep so everyone, regardless of status or income, could access it. Over time, the library grew, drawing scholars worldwide. Housed in the former Augustinian Fathers’ convent at Sant’Agostino Church, it was renovated in the mid-18th century with a reading room that holds about 100,000 volumes. With around 200,000 manuscripts, the library remains open six days a week to the public, offering a quiet place to soak in its historic ambiance.
The Library of Archeology and Art History has two locations: Palazzo Venezia in Piazza Venezia and Sala Crociera at the former Collegio Romano near Sant’ Ignazio di Loyola Church. While Palazzo Venezia is great for study, Sala Crociera, with its historical roots dating back to a Jesuit institution in 1584, offers a classic library experience. Now part of the Biblioteca di Archeologia e Storia Dell’Arte, it boasts a comprehensive collection, from engravings to theatre posters. Open to the public on Wednesdays and Thursdays with valid ID, this library’s fascinating history is reflected in its diverse collection and magnificent 17th-century wooden shelving.
The Biblioteca dell’Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei e Corsiniana merges the Academy’s library, established in 1603, with the Corsini family’s private library, bequeathed in 1883. This esteemed academy, which once included Galileo Galilei, experienced closures and relocations, with much of its original collection lost. Now housed in the Corsini Palace, the library holds hundreds of thousands of volumes, including early purchases by Pope Clement XII. Open to the public from Monday to Friday, the library also features digitized catalogs and offers local and international loan services. Visitors can admire the palace’s opulent decor, frescoes, and golden ornaments while exploring the vast collection.
The Biblioteca Vallicelliana, founded by Filippo Neri in 1565, sits in the Casa dei Filippini, designed by Borromini near Santa Maria in Vallicella Church. The library, full of 130,000 volumes and significant manuscripts, was established by the Oratorians, who valued books for their religious discussions. Open Monday to Friday and alternate Saturdays, it offers a chance to admire its intricate woodwork and frescoes, exploring a collection rich in history and religious texts, including the notable Alcuin Bible.
Exploring more of Rome? Consider taking self-guided tours of historical sites or staying longer for a deeper dive into the city’s charm. Medium-term rental options like Crib Med can enhance your Roman experience.
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