Between Faith and Word: Religious Prints from Königsberg in the University Library Toruń
From medieval manuscripts to early modern prints – the religious heritage of one of Europe’s most important libraries, preserved in the collections of the University Library Toruń
By Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Liliana Lewandowska
Gothic bookbinding with decoration in the form of a rare multi-colored geometric composition photo 3Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
The library as a witness of history
The State and University Library in Königsberg collected manuscripts, prints, and works of art for centuries, documenting the development of science, religion and culture in Europe. The objects come from one library — today dispersed, but preserved, among other places, in Toruń.
Gothic bookbinding with decoration in the form of a rare multi-colored geometric composition photo 1Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
The State and University Library in Königsberg was one of the most important scholarly and cultural institutions of former East Prussia. Its origins date back to the 16th c., when Duke Albrecht of Hohenzollern (1490–1568) founded a private library around 1526 (Kammerbibliothek).
In 1529, Duke Albrecht established the Castle Library (Schloßbibliothek), intended for the academic community.
In 1827, the Castle Library and the University Library were merged. During the interwar period, this institution was one of the most important research libraries in Germany. At that time, its holdings amounted to around 700,000 volumes, including 710 incunabula and 4,587 manuscripts, making it one of the largest and richest library centers in Central and Eastern Europe.
After the destruction caused by the war, part of the collection was transferred in 1946 to the Nicolaus Copernicus University Library in Toruń.
A work of intellect and an object of material culture
The Königsberg collections included various manuscripts, early printed books and works of art, which combined practical and scholarly functions with a high level of artistic craftsmanship, serving as a testament to the material culture of the former ages.
…among them…
Over the centuries, the Königsberg library’s collections came to include numerous texts of personal devotion and new forms of spirituality, devotional and ecclesiastical prints intended for individual religious education.
Here are some selected treasures:
Feuerzeug christenlicher Andacht photo 3Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Feuerzeug christlicher Andacht, 1536
This prayer book has survived in the only known copy, preserved in the University Library in Toruń. The print, made on parchment in octavo format, was created for Duchess Dorothea, the first wife of Albert of Hohenzollern, and belonged to the so-called Silver Library.
The binding consists of black silk velvet over wooden boards, with gilded silver fittings, bosses, and clasps, dated to the first half of the 16th century.
The copy is hand-decorated with gilding and rich plant- and animal-themed borders, featuring motifs inspired by Aesop’s fables, executed in the workshop of Nikolaus Glockendon.
Feuerzeug christenlicher Andacht photo 4Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
On an additional frontispiece leaf of the prayer book "Feuerzeug christlicher Andacht", the owner’s coat of arms was hand-painted.
Gothic bookbinding with secondary covering photo 4Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Book of Hours, 2nd quarter of the 15th century
The "Book of Hours", translated by Geert Groote, entered the Königsberg library of the Wallenrodt family in 1687. In 1909, along with the entire Wallenrodt library, it was incorporated into the holdings of the State and University Library in Königsberg.
Gothic bookbinding with secondary covering photo 6Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
The prayer book was intended for private devotion by laypeople and contains a calendar and offices (hours) dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Eternal Wisdom, and the Holy Spirit. It was produced in the Utrecht diocese, most likely commissioned by a member of the bourgeoisie.
Commentarius in Evangelium s. Ioannis photo 1Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Commentarius in Evangelium s. Ioannis, 1384
Bonaventure’s Commentary is a manuscript commentary on the Gospel of John, created in the Teutonic Prussia in 1384. The codex was copied and decorated by a single hand, probably that of Johann Albrecht, later canon and dean of the Sambian chapter (d. after 1411).
Commentarius in Evangelium s. Ioannis photo 3Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Numerous marginal notes and drawn “little hands” indicate that the manuscript was intensively used in the preaching of sermons.
It bears numerous signs of library use, including the ownership note “Hoc volumen reliquit frater Johannes Albrechtow ecclesie sue Sambiensi” as well as the marks and seals of the State and University Library in Königsberg.
Von siben ingesigeln (1330s (14th century)) by Tilo von KulmNicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Von siben ingesigeln, 1330s
A translation of the Latin religious-didactic poem "Libellus septem sigillorum" by Tilon von Kulm (from Chełmno), canon of the Sambian chapter, most likely commissioned by the Grand Master Luther of Brunswick and dedicated to him, was produced in 1331.
Catena aurea super Lucam photo 1Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Catena aurea super Lucam, 3rd quarter of the 14th century
This codex belongs to the group of the oldest luxury manuscripts preserved in the territory of the Teutonic Order state in Prussia.
Catena aurea super Lucam photo 2Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
It is an extensive theological commentary on the Gospel of Luke, developed by St. Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century. The work was created at the request of Pope Urban IV to provide scholars and the faithful with authoritative interpretations of Scripture.
Evidence of the codex’s belonging to the Königsberg Library includes the former shelfmarks "Lll 3" (Castle Library) and "887 PiUB", as well as the round seal "Königl. u. Univers. Bibliothek Königsberg i. Pr.".
Storyline and preparation of the narrative, as well as selection of shots: Dr. Liliana Lewandowska (Nicolaus Copernicus University Library in Toruń)
The narrative was created based on the digital project "Fond założycielski Biblioteki Uniwersyteckiej w Toruniu" ["Founding Collection of the Nicolaus Copernicus University Library in Toruń"] under the grant titled "Jak powstała Biblioteka Uniwersytecka w Toruniu, czyli historyczne księgozbiory UMK w dostępie online" ["How the Nicolaus Copernicus University Library in Toruń Was Established: Historical UMK Collections Accessible Online"], funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education under the Social Responsibility of Science program (agreement no. BIBL/SP/0039/2024/02).
Photography: Sekcja Digitalizacji i Zasobów Cyfrowych Biblioteki Uniwersyteckiej w Toruniu
Nicolaus Copernicus University Library in Toruń
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