The origins

A library for ministerial officials

The Library of Archaeology and Art History (BiASA - Biblioteca di Archeologia e Storia dell'Arte) was founded in 1875 as a collection of books part of the Department of Excavations and Museums (later the Department of Antiquities and Fine Art) of the Ministry of Public Education. At the time, the library was in Piazza della Minerva and was exclusively open to the officials of the aforementioned department.

View of the Palazzina della Minerva, in the square (Piazza della Minerva) next to the Dominican convent of the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, as portrayed in a 1665 print by Giovan Battista Falda

View of the Palazzina della Minerva, in the square (Piazza della Minerva) next to the Dominican convent of the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, as portrayed in a 1665 print by Giovan Battista Falda