Münstergasse library, University library in medieval Münstergasse, Bern, Switzerland
The Münstergasse library is a university library in a restored historical building on medieval Münstergasse in Bern. It spans multiple floors with bright reading rooms, individual work desks, and spaces designed for group study.
This building emerged in the late 1700s when architects transformed the upper floor of a former marketplace into Switzerland's first non-ecclesiastical library. The conversion marked a shift toward making knowledge accessible beyond religious institutions.
The library maintains Literapedia Bern, an online resource documenting writers and literary works connected to the Canton of Bern. Visitors can explore the region's literary history and learn about authors who shaped local intellectual life.
The library welcomes students and researchers Monday through Saturday with extended hours for accessing books and historical collections. Modern facilities make it easy to consult both printed materials and digital resources.
The ground floor still preserves the original arcade structure of the former market with windows facing Münstergasse, while modern library facilities occupy the floors above. This blend of old and new shows how historical spaces can be adapted for contemporary use.
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