Take a look around a convent’s library of ancient works of literature that document the significant moments in the history of Lucca.
The Biblioteca Statale di Lucca is a vast library of ancient books, pamphlets and manuscripts on the history and customs of the city. Lucca’s state library is also home to various other collections, including books on philosophy, religion and the humanities.
Peruse the grand halls of the library for a closer look at around 500,000 books and 3,000 periodicals on display. The foundations of the book repository can be traced back to the 17th century with the Library of the Lateran Canons of St. Frediano.
Take a look at an original copy of the second volume of St. Hildegard of Bingen’s Liber Vitae Meritorum, which dates back to the mid-12th century. See Abraham Ortelius’ Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, a 16th-century books of maps that many consider the first authentic atlas. Another gem is the Missale Romanu that once belonged to a Lucca bishop from the 1400s.
Learn about the history of Lucca with the Fund Baroni collection. It contains information about the traditional heritages and coats of arms of the most affluent families in the city’s past.
One of the world’s most acclaimed opera composers, Giacomo Puccini, was born not far from the state library. You can find more than 500 of his unreleased compositions alongside letters, autographs and various writings in the library.
Only two of the site’s rooms are open to members of the public. Explore the open shelves for intriguing reading material in the Reading Room. Check out the rare historic works in the Study Room.
The Biblioteca Statale di Lucca, which can be found in the former Convent of St. Maria Corteorlandini, opens daily apart from Sundays. It is near to Palazza Pfanner in the city centre. Make an appointment to look around the building by calling ahead. Tours are only offered in Italian. You can also search the online database to see what prizes of literature the library holds.
