The Vatican library
By: Ambrogio M. Piazzoni ... [et al.] ; introduction by Cesare Pasini ; with a contribution by Paolo Portoghesi
Series: Monumenta Vaticana Selecta; Monumenta Vaticana selecta
Publisher: Musei Vaticani; Libreria Editrice Vaticana; Jaca Book
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Citta del Vaticano; Milano
Language: eng
Number of pages: 351
ISBN-13: 9788816604827
Subjects: Libraries; History; Rare book libraries; Catholic libraries; Buildings, structures; Christian art and symbolism; Biblioteca apostolica vaticana
Description: The history of the Vatican Library began when the Pope Silvester I (314- 335) settled in the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome, thanks to the Edict of Constantine in 313. The Basilica was built by Constantine himself and by the half of that century was set in it a scrinum sanctum, that is a collection of books which was at the same time a library for the booksellers and an archive for documents. This book mainly deals with the location of the popes' library, but it also presents the history of the library building from its beginnings. Between 1587 and 1589 Pope Sixtus V built the Salone Sistino in the Vatican Apostolic Palace nearby St. Peter, which became the new location of the library. This place is one of the gems of Vatican City, since it contains frescos representing the history of Councils and the Charter for the Codices and for print. In 2012 this architectural and decorative wonder will reopen as a reference collection space, although it still won't be accessible to the Museum's visitors and tourists.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 337-345) and indexes.

Presented in English, translated from Italian.