Library of Palafoxiana

The Palafoxiana Library is one of the largest libraries in Mexico. The Palafoxiana Library houses over forty-one thousand books and manuscripts. It was founded in 1646. It was created on the initiative of Bishop Puebla. Palafoxiana is considered to be the first library to appear in colonial Mexico. The time of creation of the oldest manuscripts dates back to the beginning of the fifteenth century. Most of the books and manuscripts were donated by Bishop Palafox of Mendoza. The main condition of his patronage was the availability of the collections of the Palafoxiana library for a wide range of people. The library building has three floors.

The third level was completed in the nineteenth century. On the second floor in the building there is a forty-three-meter vaulted hall. The first and third floors of the Palafoxiana library are occupied by the book collection. In each hall of the library there are two-level bookshelves. In 1999, the Palafoxiana Library was hit by an earthquake. It was restored in 2001.