National Library of Israel, National library in Jerusalem, Israel
The National Library of Israel occupies a 45,000-square-metre building designed by the Basel firm Herzog & de Meuron, opened to the public on 29 October 2023 in the Government complex near the Knesset. Its pale stone facade carries a row of tall rectangular windows divided by vertical mullions, with a band of carved linked ornament above them. A large dark oval skylight of square glass panels is set into the gently sloping roof.
The library began in 1892 as the B'nai B'rith library in Jerusalem, the first public library serving the Jewish community in the region, built on some 15,000 volumes collected by Joseph Chazanovitz. In 1920 its collection became the basis of the Hebrew University library, moved to Mount Scopus in 1925 and, after 1948, to the Terra Sancta building in Rehavia. The National Library Law of 2007 made it the National Library of Israel, effective 23 July 2008.
The library holds the world's largest collection of Hebrew and Judaic materials that visitors can explore. Rare manuscripts, historical photographs, and maps spanning different periods are available for research and study.
The facility receives two copies of every publication released in Israel, including audio, video, and digital materials since 2001 for permanent preservation. This means new items are continuously added to the collection.
The library's new home, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, covers 45,000 square metres; its cornerstone was laid in 2016, and it opened to the public on 29 October 2023 after war-related delays. Among the scanned treasures is the 13th-century Worms Mahzor, viewable online.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,031 contributors worldwide.
