Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vatican Apostolic Library), Rome
The Vatican Apostolic Library stands as one of the world's oldest and most prestigious libraries, housing a remarkable collection of historical texts. Although officially established in 1475, its origins trace back even further, making it a repository of immense historical significance. The library boasts an impressive collection of 75,000 ancient manuscripts spanning various periods of history, alongside 1.1 million printed books. During the early 17th century, the Vatican Secret Archives were separated from the library, housing an additional 150,000 items of great historical importance.
Pope Nicholas V founded the library within the Vatican in 1448 by consolidating approximately 350 Greek, Latin, and Hebrew manuscripts inherited from his predecessors with his own personal collection and numerous acquisitions, including manuscripts from the renowned Library of Constantinople. In 1481, the first librarian, Bartolomeo Platina, compiled a catalog that revealed the library's vast holdings, consisting of over 3,500 items, making it the largest library in the Western world at the time. In approximately 1587, Pope Sixtus V commissioned architect Domenico Fontana to construct a new building for the library, which remains in use to this day. Notably, the books were displayed on benches to which they were chained, a measure taken to protect the valuable manuscripts.
Among the library's most renowned treasures is the Codex Vaticanus Graecus 1209, which is the oldest nearly complete manuscript of the Bible known to exist. Additionally, the library revealed the discovery of the "Secret History of Procopius", which was subsequently published in 1623.
Serving as a research library for various fields such as history, law, philosophy, science, and theology, the Vatican Library is open to scholars who can provide the necessary qualifications and research purposes.
Pope Nicholas V founded the library within the Vatican in 1448 by consolidating approximately 350 Greek, Latin, and Hebrew manuscripts inherited from his predecessors with his own personal collection and numerous acquisitions, including manuscripts from the renowned Library of Constantinople. In 1481, the first librarian, Bartolomeo Platina, compiled a catalog that revealed the library's vast holdings, consisting of over 3,500 items, making it the largest library in the Western world at the time. In approximately 1587, Pope Sixtus V commissioned architect Domenico Fontana to construct a new building for the library, which remains in use to this day. Notably, the books were displayed on benches to which they were chained, a measure taken to protect the valuable manuscripts.
Among the library's most renowned treasures is the Codex Vaticanus Graecus 1209, which is the oldest nearly complete manuscript of the Bible known to exist. Additionally, the library revealed the discovery of the "Secret History of Procopius", which was subsequently published in 1623.
Serving as a research library for various fields such as history, law, philosophy, science, and theology, the Vatican Library is open to scholars who can provide the necessary qualifications and research purposes.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Rome. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vatican Apostolic Library) on Map
Sight Name: Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vatican Apostolic Library)
Sight Location: Rome, Italy (See walking tours in Rome)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Rome, Italy (See walking tours in Rome)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Rome, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Rome
Creating your own self-guided walk in Rome is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Fountains and Squares Walking Tour
In Rome there is a lively piazza round almost every corner, each with its own unique atmosphere and its own story to tell. These public squares have been the center of Roman culture for centuries, and some of the city’s most popular attractions are located within them.
Most piazzas have a fountain in the center and a lot of cafes around. In fact, Rome holds the largest number of fountains in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Most piazzas have a fountain in the center and a lot of cafes around. In fact, Rome holds the largest number of fountains in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Food Tasting Walking Tour
Whether it’s a long lunch or a stop-off for an ice cream on an evening stroll, eating in Rome is a very social activity. Culinary traditions run deep here, and it may well be one of Italy’s most pleasurable cities in which to eat. Deli shops, prosciutterias, pizzerias, fornos (bakeries) and caffès are also very popular and offer a great alternative to a restaurant meal.
On this... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
On this... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
"Roman Holiday" Movie Walking Tour
A movie beloved by generations of people, "Roman Holiday" (1953) was filmed entirely in Rome and starred two of Hollywood's greatest icons: Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. The romantic comedy would go on to earn three Oscars, including the best actress trophy for Hepburn, who is entirely sympathetic in a role that could have been off-putting. The main storyline centers on a day of... view more
Tour Duration: 4 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 9.0 Km or 5.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 4 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 9.0 Km or 5.6 Miles
Spanish Steps to Trevi Fountain
An established tourist mecca, today's Rome is hardly imaginable without two of its much loved attractions – the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. Magnets for tourists as they are, these two sights are connected to a number of other, not less worthy of attention locations, such as the Fountain of the Longboat or Piazza Colonna and its centerpiece, the Column of Marcus Aurelius, to... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
EUR Sightseeing Walking Tour
The Esposizione Universale di Roma (EUR), located in the southern suburb of Rome, was originally constructed for an international exhibition that was planned by Mussolini as a grand celebration of Fascist Italy. However, due to the outbreak of World War II, the exhibition never took place. The architecture of EUR was designed to glorify Fascism and showcases a distinct style that sets it apart... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Holy Sites Walking Tour
As the cradle of the Catholic Church, one of the world's largest organizations, Rome has a large number of valuable, sacred places of worship. Crowded with architectural splendors from different periods of time, each of its churches and basilicas represent a significant part of culture and history.
Take this self-guided walking tour to discover Rome's magnificent religious heritage,... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.9 Km or 4.3 Miles
Take this self-guided walking tour to discover Rome's magnificent religious heritage,... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.9 Km or 4.3 Miles
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