University Library of Copenhagen

The University Library of Copenhagen is one of the largest and oldest libraries not only in Scandinavia but all over the world. A large number of unique historical documents are stored here, among which all works that have been printed in Denmark since the XVII century are of particular value.

The foundation date of the library is 1648, when King Frederick III began to form a personal collection of works published in Europe. In 1793, public access to the library was opened, and two centuries later the collections of the Royal Library were significantly expanded by combining with the collections of the university library and the Danish National Library of Natural History and Medicine.

The University Library currently houses four buildings, the oldest of which dates back to 1906, a replica of the chapel at King Charlemagne’s residence in Aachen. The new building, called the Black Diamond, is also very popular among visitors to the city because of its black granite facades.