Discover a host of Renaissance treasures
in the Bibliothèque Humanist museum,
in the heart of Alsace!
Explore the secrets of some truly exceptional books... The Bibliothèque Humaniste takes visitors on a fascinating journey, from medieval manuscripts to rare printed works 15th and 16th century, in a magnificent architectural setting created by Rudy Ricciotti.
Follow in the footsteps of illustrious humanist Beatus Rhenanus and marvel at his personal library, a treasure which features on the UNESCO Memory of the World register.
Beatus Rhenanus, a 16th-century humanist
The central section of the permanent exhibition focuses on the intellectual career of Beatus Rhenanus, a Sélestat native, prominent humanist and friend of Erasmus, who left his extraordinary personal library to his home town upon his death in 1547. Taken together, these 670 works form one of the richest Renaissance collections to have survived intact.
Here you can discover books and objects retracing the life of this famous humanist, for example his old school book from his time at the Latin School.
Special Reserves
The Special Reserve section of the Bibliothèque Humaniste, containing some 154 medieval manuscripts and 1611 printed works from the 15th and 16th centuries, is best explored book by book, theme by theme. This striking glass cube houses the most precious items from the library’s collections.
Thanks to a new digital system, you can delve deep into this treasure and flick freely through books that have now been digitised.
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