en_US English
en_US English ro_RO Română de_DE Deutsch

Teleki-Bolyai Library, Târgu Mureș, Mureș

The first public library in Transylvania

Where, when, how much?

Teleki-Bolyai Library can be visited at 17 Bolyai Street, in Târgu Mureș, from Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 6pm, and on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free. The visit includes access to the Teleki public library and the Bolyai museum.

About Teleki-Bolyai Library

Teleki Library is the first public library in Transylvania. It was opened to the public by Count Sámuel Teleki in 1802 in Gornești, near Târgu Mureș. In 1955, the exhibits of the Bolyai Library and Museum, which belonged to the former Reformed College, were brought to the Teleki Library. The library's stock has been constantly growing, so that it now numbers 230,000 volumes, which can be read in the reading room on the library's first floor,

1. Teleki Library

The library building was built in Baroque style in 1799-1802 by Count Sámuel Teleki. The white furniture is original, as is the arrangement of the books. Sámuel Teleki traveled throughout Europe and became a great bibliophile. He had the idea to open the first public library in Transylvania. The collection is very valuable and includes old books from the Enlightenment, scientific, philosophical and religious books, an encyclopedia, the famous Supplec Libellus Valachorum, including some rarities such as the Konz Codex.

Samuel Teleki

Supplex Libellus Valachorum Transsilvaniae

beautiful and protective covers

Samuel Teleki

public library

Count Sámuel Teleki

Teleki-Bolyai Library

2. Bolyai Museum

In a separate room we learn that Târgu Mureș is the city of the two Bolyai, two mathematicians, father and son, Farkas and János. On display is the skull of Farkas Bolyai, considered one of the most intelligent scientists. His son, János Bolyai, who died young, contradicted his father and the theories of Euclidean geometry, founding hyperbolic or non-Euclidean geometry. Also on display are original pieces of furniture, such as his father's desk and a chest. In another room there is a temporary exhibition showing the library and books of Countess Zsuzsanna Bethlen de Iktár.

Countess Zszuzsanna Bethlen Library

Bolyai Farkas and János

Euclidean geometry

office of Bolyai Farkas

skull of Bolyai Farkas

Conclusion

Teleki-Bolyai Library comprises the Teleki Library, later supplemented by the Bolyai Library and the Bolyai Museum. The Teleki Library is the first public library in Transylvania.

Visit the Teleki- Bolyai Library and you will discover a world of old books through a passionate guide.

All the best!

Steps:

en_USEnglish
ro_RORomână de_DEDeutsch en_USEnglish