The new Humanist Library unveils its treasures in Sélestat

By Céline Perronnet , Published: 28 March 2018, 15:58

This precious piece of French heritage, dating back to the 16th century, is testimony to the intellectual vitality of the Renaissance. It is now preparing to unveil its brand new look following a four-year closure for refurbishment – and is positioned as the European centre of books and humanities.

The architectural project, conceived by Rudy Ricciotti – also responsible for the Mucem in Marseille – aims to strengthen the foundations of the valuable heritage in downtown Sélestat, and to offer a nice balance between preserving the past and looking to the future.

The Humanist Library is home to some remarkable collections, including that of the Latin school founded in 1452 and that of Beatus Rhenanus, which he bequeathed to his town of birth in 1547. This was added to UNESCO’s ‘Memoire du Monde’ list in 2011.

The new museum represents a journey to the heart of books and the humanistic thought that reached Sélestat in the 15th and 16th centuries. All set in a peaceful, meditative atmosphere, visitors have access to a vast library of resources, offering total freedom according to their particular interests and knowledge.

The space houses 154 medieval manuscripts and 1,611 prints from the 15th and 16th centuries. Each term, the conservation team rotate the displays to maximise the offering to visitors, which includes several exhibits never seen before.

The project has really opened up the space and enhances the building’s monumental proportions. The new volumes of the former Wheat Hall are now divided across several levels; the reception opens up to the roof, at a height of 16 metres; and behind the ticket office is a 120-square-metre hall used for temporary exhibitions.

Beatus Rhenanus is one figure who has made Sélestat a major educational and intellectual centre in Europe. His personal library has no less than 670 volumes and forms one of the richest and most exceptional Renaissance collections.

With the former building no longer able to support and preserve the collections nor properly accommodate visitors, its replacement is now, after over two years of transformation work, ready to do so.

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