Description

The National Széchényi Library serves as Hungary's national library, dedicated to collecting, preserving, and providing access to the country's cultural heritage and Hungarian-related materials, from manuscripts to electronic publications. Established by Count Ferenc Széchényi in 1802 as Hungary's first national public institution, it initially housed 15,000 printed books, manuscripts, maps, engravings, and a coin collection. It moved to the Hungarian National Museum in 1846–1847 and regained independence in 1949 as the National Széchényi Library. In 1985, it relocated to Building "F" of the Buda Castle after a quarter-century construction and collection relocation effort. Publishers are required to provide complimentary copies of their publications, resulting in a collection of over eight million units, including two million books, periodicals, manuscripts, maps, engravings, audio materials, posters, and microfilm copies. Notable holdings include the oldest continuous Hungarian text (1192), 32 Corvinas from King Matthias Corvinus's library, the manuscript of the Hungarian national anthem, and significant documents from Hungarian history.

Engraver: Emma Sz. Egyed