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Exhibition provides an insight into the monastery library

The State Library is showing an exhibition on the St. Marienthal Monastery Library (archive photo). / Photo: Sebastian Kahnert/dpa
The State Library is showing an exhibition on the St. Marienthal Monastery Library (archive photo). / Photo: Sebastian Kahnert/dpa

Saxony acquired the historically valuable library of the St. Marienthal monastery in Ostritz (Görlitz district) in 2023. Now, for the first time, an exhibition provides access to the bibliophile treasures.

Saxony's state library is holding an exhibition for the first time to provide an insight into the treasures of the monastery library of St. Marienthal in Ostritz (district of Görlitz). Under the title "The closed garden. Access to the Monastery Library of the Cistercian Sisters of St. Marienthal", visitors can get an overview of the book collection of the almost 800-year-old monastery from January 29.

Saxony acquired valuable monastery library in 2023

Saxony acquired the historically valuable library of the St. Marienthal monastery in Ostritz (Görlitz district) in 2023. "The Free State was thus able to preserve this unique Saxon cultural heritage in its entirety, secure it for science and research and preserve it permanently for the public and future generations," the Saxon State Library - State and University Library (SLUB) announced at the time.

Klepsch: Securing cultural heritage for the homeland

The Free State and the monastery had agreed on a purchase price of 5.5 million euros. The purchase was made possible with financial support from the Ernst von Siemens Art Foundation. When the possible sale of the library became public, Saxony decided to make the purchase. At the time, Culture Minister Barbara Klepsch (CDU) emphasized that it was agreed that the cultural heritage had to be secured for the state.

St. Marienthal Monastery is almost 800 years old

St. Marienthal Monastery is located on the River Neisse and was founded in 1234. It is the oldest surviving monastery of the female branch of the Cistercian order in Germany. According to the SLUB, the monastery's library is of exceptional value to science. It is a closed collection of monastic educational culture and outstanding historical sources that has grown since the late Middle Ages.

Monastery library comprises more than 2,700 titles

The historical monastery library of St. Marienthal comprises more than 2,700 titles from the 12th to 19th centuries, including medieval manuscripts, incunabula, old prints and historical documents. The St. Marienthal Psalter - a manuscript from the 13th century - is considered the most magnificent item in the library. Some of the historical printed works will remain on loan in the baroque library hall of the monastery.

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