The Book Museum of the SLUB Dresden showcases impressive treasures from the library's diverse collections, including photographs, parchment manuscripts, sheet music, and early films. A particular highlight is the famous Maya Codex, one of only four surviving manuscripts of the pre-Columbian Maya culture worldwide. It serves as a key to deciphering hieroglyphs and exploring the astronomy and timekeeping of this ancient civilization. The history of the SLUB Dresden's collections dates back to the 16th century, when Elector Augustus of Saxony began acquiring books intensively. In the 18th century, the library expanded significantly through extensive acquisitions. From 1835, the most valuable pieces, known as Zimelien, were displayed in a separate room. A dedicated Book Museum was established in 1935 and reopened in 2003 following the merger into the SLUB Dresden.
Book Museum of the Saxon State and University Library
Address
Zellescher Weg 18
01069 Dresden
Opening hours
Monday to Friday 10 am - 6 pm, Saturday 2 pm - 6 pm, Saturday 2 pm public and free guided tour
Prices
Admission free of charge
Offers
cafespecial exhibitions
museum café, guided tours in foreign languages by previous arrangement, special exhibitions
Public guided tours, Saturday 2 pm (registration at tour@slub-dresden.de)
Exhibition texts in the treasure chamber (permanent exhibition) in German and English, guided tours in English and Spanish are possible by prior arrangement (email: tour@slub-dresden.de)
handicapped accessible in all areas, handicapped accessible toilet
Other destinations nearby
1,9 km

The Human Adventure
2,0 km

Dresden Park Railway
2,1 km

Steam Locomotive Museum
2,3 km

Botanical Garden Dresden