Plate CXV · Vatican
Vol. XII (1954) · full-page plate
(fot. Biblioteca Vaticana)
(fot. Biblioteca Vaticana)
(fot. Archivio Segreto Vaticano)
Above: HALL KNOWN AS OF THE WRITERS in the Library of Sixtus V (1585-90), frescoed by Paolo Brill and Marco da Faenza. Beside the door, which leads into the great "Sistine Hall", marble tablet with inscription summarizing the history of the Pontifical Library. On the walls, portraits of the cardinal librarians. Desks and benches from the 16th cent. Below left: NEW STACKS of the Vatican Library with metal shelving, commissioned by Pius XI (1928 and 1931). Six floors with a linear development of ca. 35 km. Third floor: the supporting structure of the vault is visible. Below right: NEW STACKS of the Vatican Secret Archives, with metal shelving, commissioned by Pius XI (1933). Two floors with a linear development of ca. 13 km. Ground floor. Pius XII in 1950 renovated the old stacks equipping them with 468 cabinets with 5,500 km of metal shelving.