Duchess Anna Amalia Library

Duchess Anna Amalia Library

Weimar is a renowned cultural city in Europe. Though small in size, it has a grand feel. Everything began with Duchess Anna Amalia, who attracted writers and thinkers to the region, thus making Weimar world-famous. The original 1570 residence known as the "Green Palace," located on the east side of Weimar’s Democracy Square, was converted into a library by Duchess Anna Amalia in 1691. Goethe oversaw the library’s collection until 1819.

The Duchess Anna Amalia Library houses an extensive collection of German literary and historical documents since 1800, including 1 million books, 2,000 medieval and early modern manuscripts, 600 ancestral registers, 10,000 maps, and 4,000 musical scores—among them sheet music and books once printed by Liszt. The 9th- to 21st-century literary materials preserved here play a significant role in modern cultural and historical research. Additionally, the library boasts a particularly treasured collection of 10,000 volumes of Shakespeare’s complete works, along with 16th-century Bibles associated with Martin Luther.

Unfortunately, on September 2, 2004, this historic building, along with its Rococo Hall and countless books and paintings, was destroyed in a major fire. In October 2007, the building reopened on the 200th anniversary of Duchess Anna Amalia’s death. Its precious books are now displayed in the Renaissance Hall, and while the Rococo Hall can be visited, entry is limited to a maximum of 290 visitors per day.

Duchess Anna Amalia Library

Must-visit reason: One of Germany’s most noteworthy libraries to see

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/region where the attraction is located: Germany[Germany]

Province/state where the attraction is located: Thuringia [Thuringia]

City where the attraction is located: Weimar [Weimar]