Biblioteca Riccardiana, Conservation library in Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence, Italy.
Biblioteca Riccardiana is a conservation library housed in Palazzo Medici Riccardi, containing thousands of manuscripts, loose folios, and printed books arranged in decorated reading rooms. Its galleries display materials that span from early printed editions to medieval manuscripts organized for study and research.
The collection was established by Riccardo Romolo Riccardi and opened to the public in 1689. Over centuries, it expanded through acquisitions from Florentine noble families who donated their private collections to this institution.
The main hall ceiling displays frescoes by Luca Giordano depicting different life stages and humanity's pursuit of knowledge. These painted scenes frame your experience as you browse through centuries-old volumes in this space.
Access typically requires that you have a research or academic purpose, as the library prioritizes serious study of its rare materials. It is wise to contact ahead and confirm opening times, as regular access can be limited and visitor scheduling matters.
Among the treasures are books from the earliest days of printing, including a 10th-century manuscript of ancient naturalist Pliny's writings. These early pieces reveal how carefully such valuable items have been preserved across the centuries.
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