Bavarian State Library, State library in Munich, Germany.
The Bavarian State Library stands as Germany's largest universal research library, housing over 11 million books and 37 million media objects within its neo-Romanesque building designed by Friedrich von Gärtner between 1832 and 1843.
Founded in 1558 as the court library of Duke Albrecht V, the institution expanded significantly through secularization in the early 19th century, acquiring over 550,000 volumes and 18,600 manuscripts from dissolved monasteries.
The library preserves UNESCO World Heritage manuscripts including the Song of the Nibelungs and the Pericopes of Henry II, alongside special collections featuring works by Max Ernst, Joseph Beuys, and correspondence from Richard Wagner.
Open daily from 8:00 AM to midnight with free admission, the library offers specialized reading rooms, digital access to over 4 million digitized documents, and wheelchair-accessible facilities throughout its historic building.
The institution maintains Germany's largest public photo archive with approximately 19.24 million images, including the complete Stern magazine collection and historical photographs spanning from the 19th century to present day.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
