There are records showing that the monastery
has contained manuscripts ever since its founding
in the XI century. Indeed, since the XII century,
Montserrat has had its own scriptorium, which
saw much activity during the XIV and XV centuries.
The inauguration of a typography workshop at
Montserrat by Abbot Cisneros in the year 1499
helped to ensure the cultural diffusion of the
monastery.
Over the course of the XVII and XVIII centuries,
the Library gradually extended and diversified
its collection. Its shelves, according to records,
held thousands of works. The most tragic moment
in its history occurred during the Napoleonic
Wars when, in 1811, the monastery was destroyed
and lost the greater part of its bibliographic
treasure.
The
current Library
The Library as it stands today was founded towards
the end of the XIX century and went through
a period of remarkable growth during the abbacy
of Father Antoni M. Marcet (1913-1946). In a
matter of years, the Library’s collection grew
from 15,000 volumes to approximately 150,000.
The Spanish Civil War, followed by the Second
World War, put a stop to further growth; yet,
over the second half of the century, the Library
managed to double its collection.
The
collection
The sections on philosophy, theology, biblical
sciences, patrology, liturgy, music and the
history of art are worthy of particular note,
as are its sections on general history, especially
with regard to Medieval times, Europe, Catalonia
and the territories of the Aragon Crown. There
is also a collection on local history and the
Spanish Civil War.
Monographs:
330.000 Periodical publications:
6.000 Manuscripts: 1.500 Incunabula:
400 XVI century works: 3.700 Engravings: 18.000 Ancient maps:
500
