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Hidden treasure: Priceless volumes found in Veszprém library room
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In the northern wing of the Archbishop’s Palace in Veszprém lies a true gem—the Koller Library Room. This Baroque-style space offers an unforgettable experience not only for book lovers but also for those fascinated by history and the arts.
As part of the renovation of Veszprém’s historic district, the Archdiocese is restoring the library room, with plans to open it to the public on special occasions through guided tours. The library’s collection primarily consists of books from the 16th to 18th centuries, along with book series from the early 19th century and about fifty antiquarian books printed between 1500 and 1600. The oldest volume dates back to 1502, published just a few decades after the invention of the printing press.
One of the most valuable works in the Archbishop’s Palace Library is a nearly 500-year-old Bible from Lyon, published in 1550. This book is remarkable not only because of its age and substantial size but also due to its distinguished former owner—Padányi Biró Márton, one of the most influential bishops of Veszprém in the 18th century. His successors, including Koller Ignác, the builder of the Veszprém palace and the library’s namesake, significantly expanded the collection, according to Lelépő.
Another exceptional piece in the collection is a 1574 engraving portfolio once owned by Bishop Koller Ignác. This volume, published in what is now Wrocław, features depictions of tombs belonging to ancient and humanist writers and scholars. Notably, it includes an engraving of Janus Pannonius’s former tomb, accompanied by one of the poet’s epigrams.
Among the 20th-century artifacts, a previously hidden portrait of Archduke Otto von Habsburg as a child stands out. The painting likely dates back to the tenure of Bishop Nándor Rott, who supported the Habsburgs’ claim to the throne and visited the exiled Emperor Charles IV and Empress Zita twice. The portrait was secretly stored during World War II and has since become part of the Archbishop’s Museum collection.