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 holds many rare and valuable items, including old manuscripts and printed books that help us understand history.

The library is also known as 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 plays a big role in preserving cultural history and letting 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 founded by Duke Julius of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the 1500s. He began collecting books while studying in France, and later added many important collections including the library of a Nuremberg official and several monastery libraries.

The library was later greatly expanded by Duke Augustus, after whom it was named. Over the centuries, despite wars and passing armies, the library's collection remained safe. Today, it holds many rare and old books, including around 11,500 manuscripts and 900,000 printed books, some dating back to the 1400s. Famous people who have worked there include Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, a famous scientist and philosopher.

Significant manuscripts

The Herzog August Library holds many important old books and writings. One famous item is a palimpsest called Codex Guelferbytanus 64 Weissenburgensis, which has several 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 a king named Matthias Corvinus. The library also has a unique copy of Luther's Wolfenbüttel Psalter, which includes notes Martin Luther made when he studied the Psalms.