The Libraries of the Cistercian Nunneries in the Upper Lusatia (Saxony) in the Early Modern Times

Abstract

The study deals with the libraries of the Cistercian nunneries in the Upper Lusatia, with the stress on the XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries. It analyses the thematic orientation of books, the uses of the library, the ways of acquisition of new books, the coexistence of manuscripts and old prints, the library as an expression of specific monastic identity.

The authors tries to compare these very well preserved libraries with other monastic book collections.

Keywords

• monastic libraries
• Upper Lusatia
• early modern time
• St. Marienstern
• St. Marienthal
• manuscripts
• old prints
• monastic identity.