PUBLIC LIBRARY OF PORTO

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PUBLIC LIBRARY OF PORTO

General information:
Founded in 1833 ordered by his Majesty D. Pedro IV, the Public Library of Porto occupied the existing facilities - the former Convent of Santo António da Cidade from the 18th century, now classified as public interest building – in 1842, becoming a public library in 1876. Its initial collection gathered collections of religious orders and individuals libraries. Besides, the decree that led to its creation also ordered that a copy of any printed work in Portugal should be given to the library, which the BPMP still continues to receive, by legal deposit. This library is often visited and requested for its special collections that are from the Middle Ages till today, including the collection of manuscripts, for their unique specificity. Visitors are invited to visit this patrimonial library and its ancient building and all the several rooms that surround the cloister, where people can appreciate the collection of tile panels from the 15th to the 18th centuries as well as the unique collections of rare books and manuscripts, the use the information services free of charge to everyone, provided to all kind of users, including blind people.