Some of Germany’s most important medieval manuscripts, including the ninth-century Hildebrandslied, have returned to public display following the reopening of a historic library in Kassel. The manuscripts had been kept in storage for more than a decade.
The Murhard Library, part of the University of Kassel, fully reopened last week following an extensive renovation and expansion project that began in 2017. The €17.9 million project includes a new exhibition vault designed to preserve and display the library’s valuable historical collections.
Among the highlights is the Hildebrandslied, a ninth-century manuscript containing the only surviving written version of a Germanic heroic poem in the German language. The poem tells the story of a confrontation between a father and son who meet as warriors on opposing sides, unaware of their relationship until their encounter. Preserved on two parchment leaves, the work is one of the oldest surviving examples of German poetry. It is now displayed in a specially constructed case.
Visitors can also see the Immenhausen Gutenberg Bible, dating from the fifteenth century, and the fourteenth-century Willehalm Codex. These manuscripts are among the treasures featured in the library’s exhibition, Treasures of Parchment and Paper.
Photo courtesy University of Kassel
The renovation has provided the library with a 210-square-metre exhibition vault, improved storage and security systems, and modern reading facilities. The historic Owl Hall, which can accommodate up to 100 people, has also reopened for cultural events.
“With the Murhard Library now fully operational, we are able to offer adequate, modern reading and working spaces in a historical setting, and we can safely present the precious collections, and the Owl Hall is once again a vibrant cultural venue,” said Claudia Martin-Konle, head of the Kassel University Library.
The Murhard Library takes its name from brothers Friedrich and Karl Murhard, who left their fortune to Kassel in 1845 to establish a public scholarly library. Its Neo-Renaissance building opened in 1905 and today forms part of the University Library of Kassel.
Photo courtesy University of Kassel
With the renovation complete, the library can accommodate approximately 700,000 items and plans to host regular exhibitions, readings and cultural events, making its collections of medieval manuscripts and other historical treasures accessible to researchers and the wider public.
Some of Germany’s most important medieval manuscripts, including the ninth-century Hildebrandslied, have returned to public display following the reopening of a historic library in Kassel. The manuscripts had been kept in storage for more than a decade.
The Murhard Library, part of the University of Kassel, fully reopened last week following an extensive renovation and expansion project that began in 2017. The €17.9 million project includes a new exhibition vault designed to preserve and display the library’s valuable historical collections.
Among the highlights is the Hildebrandslied, a ninth-century manuscript containing the only surviving written version of a Germanic heroic poem in the German language. The poem tells the story of a confrontation between a father and son who meet as warriors on opposing sides, unaware of their relationship until their encounter. Preserved on two parchment leaves, the work is one of the oldest surviving examples of German poetry. It is now displayed in a specially constructed case.
Visitors can also see the Immenhausen Gutenberg Bible, dating from the fifteenth century, and the fourteenth-century Willehalm Codex. These manuscripts are among the treasures featured in the library’s exhibition, Treasures of Parchment and Paper.
The renovation has provided the library with a 210-square-metre exhibition vault, improved storage and security systems, and modern reading facilities. The historic Owl Hall, which can accommodate up to 100 people, has also reopened for cultural events.
“With the Murhard Library now fully operational, we are able to offer adequate, modern reading and working spaces in a historical setting, and we can safely present the precious collections, and the Owl Hall is once again a vibrant cultural venue,” said Claudia Martin-Konle, head of the Kassel University Library.
The Murhard Library takes its name from brothers Friedrich and Karl Murhard, who left their fortune to Kassel in 1845 to establish a public scholarly library. Its Neo-Renaissance building opened in 1905 and today forms part of the University Library of Kassel.
With the renovation complete, the library can accommodate approximately 700,000 items and plans to host regular exhibitions, readings and cultural events, making its collections of medieval manuscripts and other historical treasures accessible to researchers and the wider public.
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