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The Royal Library of Belgium, commonly known as KBR, is the national scientific library of Belgium and one of the country’s most significant cultural institutions. Located in the heart of Brussels at the Mont des Arts, it serves as the ultimate guardian of the nation’s literary, historical, and scientific memory.
A Legacy Spanning Centuries
The library’s origins date back to 1559, when King Philip II of Spain founded the Royal Library of the Low Countries at the Palace of Coudenberg. It was formally established as the national library of Belgium in 1837. The current modernist building, part of the Kunstberg complex, was constructed between 1954 and 1969 and integrates historical elements like the late-Gothic Nassau Chapel.
Exceptional Collections
KBR houses an immense collection of over 8 million documents. Key highlights include:
- Legal Deposit: KBR is responsible for collecting and preserving every book published in Belgium.
- Rare Books and Manuscripts: The library holds 45,000 rare works and approximately 35,000 manuscripts, including 4,500 medieval codices.
- Specialized Departments: Its archives feature 750,000 prints and drawings, 150,000 maps, and more than 250,000 coins and monetary objects.
- Music and Science: The library preserves unique music scores, including rare autographed works by J.S. Bach recently authenticated in the Fétis collection.
The KBR Museum: A Hidden Treasure
At the heart of the library lies the KBR Museum, which opened in September 2020. It is dedicated to the Library of the Dukes of Burgundy, one of the most prestigious manuscript collections in the world.
- Highlights: Visitors can see the famous Chroniques de Hainaut, featuring a world-renowned miniature attributed to Rogier van der Weyden.
- Experience: The museum offers an immersive journey through medieval bookmaking, illuminated miniatures, and Franco-Flemish polyphonic music.
Visitor Information
- Location: Mont des Arts 28, 1000 Brussels.
- Access: As a reference library, books cannot be borrowed but must be consulted in the onsite reading rooms.
- Digital Access: KBR is actively digitizing its treasures, recently making the entire Library of the Dukes of Burgundy available online.