Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale

library, Florence, Italy

Also known as: National Central Library

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Last updated

June 22, 2026

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The Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale in Florence, Italy, serves as the Italian library of deposit, receiving a copy of every book published in the country since 1870. It houses millions of items, including autographs, manuscripts, letters, incunabula, and rare books. This library is distinct from the Medicean-Laurentian Library, which was established in the 15th century by the Medici family and commissioned Michelangelo to design its building. The Medicean-Laurentian Library is particularly renowned for its extensive collection of manuscripts, some dating back to the 4th or 5th century.12

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Florence
Cultural life
The National Central Library (Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale) has been the Italian library of deposit since 1870, receiving a copy of every book published in the country. It houses millions of autographs, manuscripts, letters, incunabula, and books, including many rare editions. The Riccardiana and Moreniana libraries adjoining the Medici Palace…
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The National Central Library (Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale) has been the Italian library of deposit since 1870, receiving a copy of every book published in the country. It houses millions of autographs, manuscripts, letters, incunabula, and books, including many rare editions. The Riccardiana and Moreniana libraries adjoining the Medici Palace…
Read More

library
Other national collections
…1875, and the historically richer Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale at Florence, founded in 1747. Other Italian national libraries are at Milan, Naples, Palermo, Turin, and Venice. Germany was equally remarkable before World War II both for the importance of its state or provincial libraries and for the lack of a recognized…
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…1875, and the historically richer Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale at Florence, founded in 1747. Other Italian national libraries are at Milan, Naples, Palermo, Turin, and Venice. Germany was equally remarkable before World War II both for the importance of its state or provincial libraries and for the lack of a recognized…
Read More