Liberei

The Liberei,^[1] also called Liberey^[2] or Andreana^[3], in Braunschweig is considered the oldest freestanding library building north of the Alps.^[4] It was built between 1412 and 1422 in Kröppelstraße in the Neustadt municipal area, just a few meters southeast of St. Andreas Church. Due to donations, among others from Johann Ember and especially Gerwin von Hameln, the library was known beyond the borders of the city and was considered one of the most important collections of books and manuscripts in northern Germany for more than 300 years until its dissolution in 1753.

The donation of 336 volumes^[5] by Gerwin von Hameln in 1495 marks both the high point and the turning point in the history of the library. After Gerwin's death, there were disputes between the city council and Gerwin's heirs for decades, so that the building and the book collection were permanently damaged by neglect and theft. Although contemporary scholars such as Johannes Bugenhagen^[6] in the 16th century or Hermann von der Hardt in the early 18th century pointed out both the importance of the Liberei as a source of knowledge and its endangered state, its decline could not be stopped. In 1753, the remaining holdings were transferred to a larger library. According to current research, 137 volumes from Gerwin's estate still survive.^[7]

The chapel-like brick building measures only 5.50 meters × 5.14 meters in floor plan.^[8] The building was severely damaged during World War II and was not restored until 1963. The Liberei is the only evidence of medieval brick Gothic in the city and is also probably the oldest surviving building in Germany that was built exclusively as a library.^[9] The building is now a listed monument.