National Library of Russia (formerly named the 1991 State and Public Library the time of the Tsars - Imperial Public Library) located in St. Petersburg is one of the first public libraries in Eastern Europe.
Instructions of Catherine II to the legislative committee ( Library book Voltaire)
The library, founded in 1795 by order of Catherine II (Catherine the Great, Empress shown), was conceived not only as a store of books, but as a source of public education. " The idea was to gather all books printed in Russia and the Russian books in foreign languages \u200b\u200band books published abroad in Russian.
oversaw Catherine the Great Personally library construction and participated in the collection of books for her. The building project for the library in downtown St. Petersburg was made by Russian architect Yegor Sokolov (later were added other bodies).
National Library of Russia
Imperial Public Library was opened in February (14) January 1814 during the reign of Catherine II's grandson Alexander I. The library was open to all regardless of social status.
Library books
After the revolution the library was renamed the Public Library of Russia. In 1932 he also began to carry the name of the famous nineteenth century Russian writer Saltykov-Shchedrin. In the terrible days of the siege of Leningrad during World War II in terms of fuel shortages heating and electricity, the library continued its work. The tremendous efforts of its employees helped to preserve its unique collection.
The old halls of the National Library is now modernized.
National Library of Russia is now one of the largest libraries in the world. Contains the world's largest collection of books in Russian. Now in its funds are set aside some 34 million copies, many of which are old and valuable.
Reading Room of the National Library Russian
Among the gems of the library can be named as masterpieces Ostromiro Gospel (1056-1057) - the oldest existing book in Russia fragments Codex Sinaiticus (fourth century) , as t called Leningrad Codex "(1010) - the manuscript of the Bible's earliest dated.
Ostromiro Gospel ( 1056-1057)
Another treasure of the National Library is the library of Voltaire that consists of 6814 volumes, of which 2000 are handwritten notes by Voltaire himself and other traces of reading. It was acquired in 1778 by Catherine II (the niece and heir sold the Voltaire Madame Denis). In 1779 a special ship the collection arrived in St. Petersburg. Was first placed in the Hermitage, but in 1861, by order of Tsar Alexander II, was transferred to the Imperial Public Library where it is preserved until now in a special enclosure.
Voltaire Library
is a large collection of books made by Voltaire himself, which became the main source of his knowledge, thought and the instrument of their daily work. Voltaire's library reflects the diversity of their interests, the breadth of his curiosity and the universality of knowledge.
book on the history of France at the time of Louis XIV and Voltaire notes
contains a large collection of books on history and literature France, including many rare and valuable books. Foreign authors are also well represented. The richest section of the collection are works of philosophers which show the sources of eighteenth-century encyclopedic thought (books Locke, Newton, Mandeville, the English deists). French writers are represented Montaigne, Bayle, Descartes, Malebranche, Pascal. There are books devoted to the subject of law and laws and a lot of books on travel and foreign countries (China, India, USA, etc.). There are also many books devoted to Russia, as well as an excellent selection of books on economics, natural sciences and medicine, dictionaries, newspapers in several languages, a large number of rare editions or prohibited at that time in France.
Books Library Voltaire
Voltaire Library
The National Library is open every day from 09.00 to 21.00
(Saturdays and Sundays from 11.00 to 19.00)
Address: Ploshad Ostrovskogo (Ostrovsky Square) 1 / 3. Metro "Gostiniy Dvor.
The National Library is open every day from 09.00 to 21.00
(Saturdays and Sundays from 11.00 to 19.00)
Address: Ploshad Ostrovskogo (Ostrovsky Square) 1 / 3. Metro "Gostiniy Dvor.
