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The Upper Librije

The Walburgiskerk in Zutphen houses not one but even two Librijes.

In addition to the well-known Benedenlibrije (new Librije), there is the so-called Upper Librije (old Librije). Many do not know about the existence of this Upper Librije or have never seen it. That is now changing.

It is possible for small groups to take a tour of the Upper Librije and view books by appointment and accompanied by two guides. Whether or not in combination with a tour of the church and the new Librije or the tower climb.

One requirement is that you can climb a steep stone spiral staircase.

Short history of the Upper Librije

In the new catalog of the Librije (2008) by Joke and Anne Dirk Renting-Kuijpers, the Upper Librije – shown in summary below – is described as follows.

In 1492, due to the growth of the congregation, a new chapter room was built at the church (the current consistory). The vaulted space above this room measuring five by six meters was intended for the library of the canons or lords of the chapter.

The books of the chapter – until then probably kept in chests or cupboards in the choir and managed by the sexton – must have been housed there shortly after 1492. This concerned liturgical books as well as theological and legal works.

  • Entrance to the Upper Librije

The books in the Upper Library

The Rentings write that little is known about the oldest book collection. In Henrick Cantzen’s earliest Librije catalogue, produced between 1566 – 1570, 26 manuscripts are listed. They probably belonged – they assumed – to the oldest collection of books from before the construction of the Upper Librije.

Two of these are still present. Some of the incunabula or cradles of the Librije must also come from the oldest chapter library. The earliest known donations of books are from mayor Henricus Kreynck who died in 1495, from canon and lawyer Arnold van Herwarden, who died in 1521, and from canon and dean of the chapter Peter van Suchtelen, who died in 1552.

The Upper Librije now houses books covering various fields, as well as school booklets, including texts by Erasmus. It is a special experience to see books hundreds of years old, with surprising content in this mysterious Upper Librije, now in our digital age.

  • Schoolbook with among other things texts of Erasmus
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