Today we talk about the most important libraries of Valencia. If you want to discover more about the city’s historical heritage and culture, don’t miss this interesting article. Our Spanish school El Rincón del Tandem tells you more on today’s blog
Today we will talk about the most representative libraries in Valencia. In particular, we tell you briefly the history of the most important libraries in the city, which stand out for their cultural value and beauty.
Let’s start!
- Biblioteca Pública de Valencia
The Public Library of Valencia (Biblioteca Pública de Valencia) was founded in 1838, originally located in Casa Vestuario, in Plaza de la Virgen.
Only since 1979 the Library occupies its current location, that is the main building of the Old Hospital of Valencia, also known as the Hospital of the Poor Innocents.
It is a beautiful Renaissance building with brick vaults and stone columns. The floor plan of the building with the shape of a Greek cross occupies an area of about 400m2.
In front of its main entrance, there is also the old Gothic portal of the Hospital, one of the few remains left after the great fire of 1545 that almost completely destroyed the old building.
The Library of Valencia is located in the Hospital Garden (Jardín del Hospital), one of the most beautiful gardens in the city where there are also other remains of the Old Hospital.
In 1963 the Library was declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument.
- Biblioteca Valenciana Nicolau Primitiu
This is the Regional Library of the Valencian Community whose mission is to preserve, promote and disseminate the Valencian bibliographic heritage, as well as all works (written or audiovisual) that deal with the Valencian Community.
The library is named after Doctor Nicolau Primitiu Gómez Serrano. In fact, it was with the donation of his personal library to the State (1978) by the heirs that the Valencian Library had its origins. The rich library of Dr. Nicolau Primitiu created the basis on which the library collection was expanded over the years.
Until 2000, the library shared space with the Public Library, in the buildings of the Old City Hospital. From this year, the library officially began to operate in its current location, that is, the Monastery of San Nicolás de los Reyes. A Renaissance work of great architectural beauty and historical value located in Orriols neighbourhood.
Finally, free guided tours are usually organized at the library. On this page you will find the opening hours and more information.
- Archivos y Biblioteca del Patriarca
The Archives and Library of the Royal Seminary College of Corpus Christi (Los Archivos y Biblioteca del Real Colegio Seminario de Corpus Christi) hosts collections of documentation and written productions dating back to the 14th century until the present day.
The Archives are divided by themes and typology of documents and works: History, Music, Protocols. Furthermore, the Personal Library of San Juan de Ribera composed of codes, manuscripts of the Saint and other fundamental works of authors of the same time, is also preserved.
The Library, also known as the Patriarch’s Library, is divided into two rooms decorated with ceramics from the 15th-16th-17th centuries. It preserves works from the 17th and 18th centuries that deal with different disciplines, such as philosophy, theology, sciences, etc.
Among them, there are also key historiographic works, such as Gaspar Juan Escolano’s Valencia History Decade (Década de la Historia de Valencia).
Finally, it is possible to take guided tours of the Archives and the Library. For more information, click here.
- Biblioteca Histórica de la UV
Its origins date back to 1785 when the first donation of works was made by Don Francisco Pérez Bayer.
This first donation was enriched by contributions of works by other professors, although most of them were destroyed during the Napoleonic Wars.
Academics, deans and other intellectuals faced this disaster with numerous donations from their personal libraries. Since then, the university library’s holdings have increased steadily through purchases and donations.
The library also preserves writings and books requisitioned during the Spanish Civil War, including a collection of posters.
We hope this blog about the Libraries of Valencia will encourage you to visit them and appreciate their charm.
As always, we invite you to follow our blog to learn more about the culture, history and art of Valencia.
Our Spanish school El Rincón del Tandem wishes you a happy day
See you soon!
