Duchess Anna Amalia Library

A historic research library and cultural treasure, founded in 1691 as the Ducal Library and renamed for Duchess Anna Amalia in 1991. Housed in the Green Palace, the library is famed for its exquisite Rococo Hall – a luminous oval chamber with gilt balconies and ceiling frescoes. Its collection (about 1 million volumes) emphasizes German literature and Enlightenment works, reflecting Weimar's Classical era. The library was patronized by Goethe, who served as its director, and holds many of his personal books and manuscripts. In 2004 a devastating fire tore through the building's upper floors, destroying or damaging 50,000 volumes. After extensive restoration, the library reopened in 2007, with climate-controlled facilities and renewed splendor. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Anna Amalia Library is both a public scholarly library and a museum. Visitors can view the Rococo Hall's elegant architecture and select exhibits of rare books and musical scores from the Duchess's collection, illustrating Weimar's literary golden age.