Standing on the rooftop garden of the Warsaw University Library (Biblioteka Uniwersytecka w Warszawie) evokes a sense of being at the heart of not just the city, but of the entire country of Poland. From this vantage point, one can see iconic landmarks such as the Palace of Culture and Science, the Copernicus Science Centre, the PGE Narodowy stadium, and the banks of the Vistula River. Through the large arched windows, one can also catch a glimpse of students studying in the library’s study rooms, surrounded by shelves of books.
Library tourism, the act of visiting and exploring libraries, holds a special appeal as these institutions are where nations store their collective knowledge and history. The Warsaw University Library is a particularly fascinating stop on this type of tour. While it has only been standing on Dobra Street for 26 years, the library has a long history of being a symbol of the city’s pursuit of knowledge. Since its establishment in 1816, it has withstood the challenges of two World Wars, the November Uprising in 1830, and the communist regime. In a time when books and knowledge are once again under threat, both in the US and around the world, the library serves as a reminder of the vast wealth of knowledge that can be lost in the digital age.
The building itself stands in stark contrast to the Soviet-style block architecture that dominates much of the city’s landscape. As librarian Lilianna Nalewajska explains, the library’s exterior is a tribute to the treasures held within. The candy-colored pink grate from the library’s previous location serves as a symbolic link between the past and present, while the green façade adorned with engravings of texts from Plato, Polish poet Jan Kochanowski, and other literary classics, showcases the importance of the written word. This is especially significant when considering that the library was built in 1999, just eight years after the fall of communism, when access to many of these works was restricted.
Designed by architects Marek Budzyński and Zbigniew Badowski, the building is a modern marvel of glass and steel, with a minimalist design that maximizes natural light, even on the shortest winter days. The large green beams that span the glass ceiling create a metallic canopy reminiscent of a forest. In 2002, the library was recognized by Poland’s Minister of Infrastructure for its exceptional digital capabilities.
The symbolism of the entrance extends throughout the entire building, evident in the statues of Demosthenes and Sophocles that stand on columns flanking the entryway. As Nalewajska explains, the design is meant to evoke the feeling of entering a temple of knowledge, with the columns representing the transition from the commercial world to the sacred space of learning.
The Warsaw University Library is not just a physical structure, but a testament to the enduring power of knowledge and the importance of preserving it for future generations. As visitors enter through the doors and immerse themselves in the vast collection of books and resources, they are reminded of the timeless value of literature and the role it plays in shaping our understanding of the world.
