Arabic manuscripts at the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Bavarian State Library) - Cod.arab.

Thanks to the purchase of the library belonging to diplomat and Orientalist Johann Albrecht Widmanstetter (1506 - 1557), about 200 oriental manuscripts, in Arabic, Armenian, Hebrew and Syrian among others, came to the Münchner Hofbibliothek (Munich Court Library) on the occasion of its foundation in 1558. As a result of secularisation, the Oriental collection was only expanded by a few but all the more important manuscripts such as the world-famous Babylonian Talmud.

Today the library has about 5,300 volumes, for example Arabic, Turkish or Hebrew manuscripts, but also smaller groups in Armenian or Syrian language. The collection of codices arabici at the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek currently comprises more than 3,100 volumes. They date from the 9th to the 19th century.

Among the top examples of Arab manuscripts are in particular some magnificent Korans and illuminated texts such as the Qurʾān (Koran) from Seville (Cod.arab. 1) or the Gold Koran (Cod.arab. 1112). In addition, the State Library is in possession of a Koran in Kufic script (Cod. Arab. 2569).

• The Arabic manuscripts at the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek available on bavarikon

>> This collection is part of the holdings of the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Bavarian State Library).

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