Estense Library of Modena

The institute, which traces its roots back to the collecting activities of the Este lords, has existed since the 14th century. Its rich heritage, increased, organized, and studied by librarians such as Ludovico Antonio Muratori and Girolamo Tiraboschi, has further grown over the centuries through donations, inheritances, suppressions of religious entities, and acquisitions of all kinds. In this way, alongside the most precious legacy consisting of illuminated manuscripts, incunabula, sixteenth-century books, and rare nautical charts of the Estensi, especially after the transfer to the Italian State (1861) and the move to the current location (1882), manuscript and printed collections and archives of writers, scientists, publishers, and librarians have been added over time.

The Estense University Library’s mission is to collect, increase, and safeguard its historical collections and to expand its book resources by acquiring current works, including on non-paper media. Since September 2006, as the holder of the legal deposit for Modena and the province, it acquires the book production published in the area, thus increasing the already rich section of local history formed based on the previous law on mandatory deposit.