Archdiocesan Library

The Archdiocesan Library is located in a building at plac Katedralny 5a in Wrocław, opened in October 2020. The same building also houses the Chapter Library and the Archdiocesan Archive.

History

The institution was established in October 1947 as the Library of the Archbishop's Theological Seminary and at the time held around 15,000 volumes recovered after wartime destruction. It initially operated in the Collegium Georgianum building, and moved into its new premises at plac Katedralny, built between 2012 and 2016, in 2020.

Collections

The library's holdings include early printed books, periodicals, materials on asceticism and preaching, sheet music and fiction, with a thematic focus on theology, religious studies, philosophy, history, psychology and pedagogy. According to 2022 data, the collection numbered 183,175 volumes. The institution also states its aim of making its holdings available to readers beyond the academic community.

Practical information

• Address: plac Katedralny 5a, Wrocław
• Getting there: on foot from Ostrów Tumski, directly next to the Cathedral of St John the Baptist and the National Museum
• What to expect: a modern library building with academic holdings; it is worth checking the rules and opening hours for access to the collections directly with the library before your visit