Saxony purchases library from St. Marienthal monastery

St. Marienthal Monastery is located directly on the Neisse River and was founded in 1234. It is the oldest surviving monastery of the female branch of the Cistercian order in Germany. According to the SLUB, the monastery's library is of exceptional value to science. It is a closed collection of monastic educational culture and outstanding historical sources that has grown since the late Middle Ages.

According to its Director General Katrin Stump, the State Library will work together with the Manuscript Center of Leipzig University Library to maintain the holdings. "In addition to providing the best possible support for research, we are particularly keen to communicate the historical significance of the monastery library to the general public. Following the current presentation of two manuscripts, we are planning a large exhibition in 2025 with many different items from the collection."

The historical monastery library of St. Marienthal comprises more than 2,700 titles from the 12th to 19th centuries, including medieval manuscripts, incunabula, old prints and historical documents, which became the property of the Saxon State Library - Dresden State and University Library with the purchase. The St. Marienthal Psalter - a manuscript from the 13th century - is considered the most magnificent piece in the library. Some of the historical printed works will remain on loan in the baroque library hall of the monastery.