Berlin State Library, State library on Unter den Linden, Germany
The Berlin State Library operates two separate buildings across the city that together hold more than 25 million books, manuscripts, maps, newspapers, and digital materials available for public use. These collections span different time periods, with each location serving researchers and visitors with its own focus and resources.
Frederick William, the ruling prince of Brandenburg, founded this library in 1661 to serve as the court collection. Over the following centuries it developed into one of Germany's most important research institutions.
The library preserves significant manuscripts, including the original score of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, recognized as UNESCO World Heritage.
Visitors aged 16 and older can obtain a reader's card to access the collections during opening hours. It helps to check ahead which building houses the specific materials you need.
The collections are divided by location based on their age: materials published before 1900 are kept at the Unter den Linden building, while newer publications are stored at the Potsdamer Straße site. This split helps researchers navigate more efficiently to the right place.
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