Erzbischöfliche Diözesan- und Dombibliothek

Step inside the Erzbischöfliche Diözesan- und Dombibliothek and you’ll be transported back centuries. This isn’t your average library, it’s a treasure trove of history. The Bibliothek is the central library of the Archdiocese of Cologne and one of the oldest and largest theological specialist libraries in the German-speaking world. Its origins go back as far as the 6th or 7th century! The library, originally part of the Cologne Cathedral, was founded by Archbishop Hildebald, who died in 818. He amassed a collection of manuscripts that formed the core of the library. The collection, now featuring over 800 handwritten manuscripts, has been continuously expanded over the centuries. Some of the most valuable manuscripts include the Hillinus Gospels, a stunning work with images of the old Cologne Cathedral from the 11th century.
These manuscripts tell tales of faith and knowledge, holding within their pages the collective wisdom of generations. In the 18th century the library was enriched by the acquisition of the Broich Collection, which belonged to the Abbot Jean-Paul Bignon, the secretary and librarian of Louis XIV. These manuscripts, along with the original Hildebald collection, offer a fascinating glimpse into the rich history of the Catholic Church in Cologne.
In 1930, the Diözesanbibliothek and the Dombibliothek merged. The Dombibliothek was incorporated into the Diözesanbibliothek as a long-term loan from the Cologne cathedral chapter. It wasn’t until the 1950s that the library found its permanent home in the Maternushaus, an impressive building on the Gereonstrasse. Here, the library is a hub of research and scholarship, attracting scholars from across the globe.
The Erzbischöfliche Diözesan- und Dombibliothek is a unique blend of tradition and innovation. While it houses centuries-old manuscripts, it also boasts a modern digital library, a result of a project called Codices Electronici Ecclesiae Coloniensis (CEEC). This project, launched in 2000, has digitized the library’s medieval manuscripts. Now, the library is one of the first institutions in the world to make its medieval manuscripts fully digitally accessible online. This modern initiative allows researchers to delve into the library’s treasures from anywhere in the world.
Today, the Erzbischöfliche Diözesan- und Dombibliothek is a beacon of knowledge, a testament to the enduring power of books and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.