Imagine, a fire alarm blares. It’s 1904 and flames engulf priceless manuscripts inside what was then the Biblioteca Nazionale Universitaria di Torino.
The Biblioteca Nazionale Universitaria di Torino is one of Italy’s most important libraries. Its story is full of both triumphs and disasters. Today, standing in Piazza Carlo Alberto, we see the library’s modern building. But its roots stretch back centuries.
Let’s journey back to 1723. Victor Amedeus II of Savoy founded the library. He combined three key book collections. These were the Town library, the Royal University library, and the Crown library. The library found its first home within the new Royal University on Via Po.
The Biblioteca distinguished itself early on. Abbot Francesco Domenico Bencini started cataloging the manuscript collection. Abbot Giuseppe Pasini continued this work. He was the prefect from 1745 to 1770. The Biblioteca grew thanks to printing rights. Generous gifts and acquisitions also helped. When the Society of Jesus was suppressed, the library gained even more. During the Napoleonic era, convent suppressions added over 30,000 volumes.
By 1876, the library’s wealth was clear. It earned the title of “national” alongside its “university” designation. However, tragedy struck in January 1904. A catastrophic fire damaged the manuscript section. Incunabula and early printed books from Piedmont were lost. The fire also harmed the reference section.
More misfortune came during World War II. Bombings in 1942 destroyed over 15,000 volumes. Portions of the general catalog were also lost. Construction of the current building began in 1957. It wasn’t until 1973 that the Biblioteca Nazionale Universitaria di Torino moved here. The new Biblioteca opened on October 15, 1973. It now operates under the Ministry for Cultural Activities.
Today, the Biblioteca Nazionale Universitaria di Torino holds over 700,000 printed volumes. It also safeguards a valuable collection of manuscripts, incunabula, and 16th-century books. The website offers access to digital collections. These include Savoy court ballets, Vivaldi manuscripts, and pre-unification periodicals.
The Biblioteca also showcases exhibits and conferences. A reconstruction of the historic book restoration laboratory is a permanent display. This shows the tools used after the 1904 fire. The library’s website aims to connect people with culture. It holds Filippo Juvarra’s drawings. Queen Margaret of Savoy’s books also reside here.
The Biblioteca Nazionale Universitaria di Torino preserves culture. It makes its heritage accessible both on-site and online. It is a meeting place for national and international cultures. Its history reflects Turin’s own story. The Biblioteca is a testament to resilience.