After attending Christmas Mass, we went to the National Bibliotek (library). We were told not to miss it. (8 Euro Sr Citizen price.) We went up a floor and then into a huge hall that ran the length of the building. It looked like the library in Beauty and the Beast. It was incredible, floor to ceiling OLD large brown books. The Library was built by Emporer Karl VI. Built from 1723-1726.
We spent about an hour there, mostly reading about the composer Anton Bruckner, who was born here and lived 200 years ago. This library has all of his papers and works and he was highlighted throughout the library–his story was told with artifacts and music from his life.
This made me especially happy:
From the beautifully illuminated Wenceslas Bible:
A fascinating ancient road map:
From a 1260 hymn book:
There are 4 large world globes in the library. They are a really fascinating look at how our world was seen in the 1600s.
A globe of constellations:
Loving the hidden passages!
From the Bruckner exhibits throughout the library:
What a treat to walk among such treasures. Just imagine the amount of knowledge found in this room, and what has been added to is since the time of this collection!
Our Frankfurt Germany Mission 