Royal Library of Belgium

The Royal Library of Belgium (Koninklijke Bibliotheek in Dutch, Bibliothèque Royale in French, abbreviated KBR and sometimes nicknamed Albertina) is one of the most important cultural institutions in Belgium. The library has a history that goes back to the age of the Dukes of Burgundy. In the second half of the 20th century, a new building was constructed on the Kunstberg (Mont des Arts in French) in downtown Brussels, near the Central Station. The library owns several collections of historical importance, like the famous Fétis archives. The library is the depository for all books ever published in Belgium or abroad by Belgian authors.

The library also houses the Center for American Studies, a new institute of higher learning established by the University of Antwerp, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, the University of Ghent, and the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, which is internationally accredited for delivering the Master of Arts in American Studies.

Directors

  • 1837-1850 : Baron Frédéric de Reiffenberg
  • 1850-1887 : Louis-Joseph Alvin
  • 1887-1904 : Edouard Fétis
  • 1904-1909 : Henri Hymans
  • 1909-1912 : Joseph Van Den Gheyn, S.J.
  • 1913-1914 : Dom Ursmer Berlière O.S.B.
  • 1919-1929 : Louis Paris
  • 1929-1943 : Victor Tourneur
  • 1944-1953 : Frédéric Lyna
  • 1953-1955 : Marcel Hoc
  • 1956-1973 : Herman Liebaers
  • 1973-1990 : Martin Wittek
  • 1990-1991 : Denise De Weerdt
  • 1992 : Josiane Roelants-Abraham
  • 1992-2002 : Pierre Cockshaw
  • 2002-2005 : Raphaël De Smedt
  • 2005- : Patrick Lefèvre

See also

  • Academia Belgica
  • Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO)
  • Center for historical research and documentation on war and contemporary society
  • National and Provincial State Archives

External links

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Tips & Hints
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S Marks The Spots
12 October 2014
Enter the National Library and take the elevator up to the 5th floor. There it is, an oasis of calmness in the middle of the city and one of the most secret terraces in Brussels!
Lene H.
4 September 2012
Have a healthy lunch at the rooftop terrace. Everything they serve is good, enormous and freshly prepared. Make sure to try the spaghetti, the huge sandwiches or the croque special (bolognese sauce)
Linde J
12 May 2015
Fifth floor: hidden gem. A rooftop terrace where you can eat your own picknick (or something from the counter - not recommended). Also a herbs garden and a stunning view on the Brussels skyline.
FrenchConnect
22 May 2015
On passe devant sans s’en apercevoir et pourtant il y a un mini restaurant, au 5ième étage avec une vue panoramique, une terrasse avec du mobilier original des sixties, et même un potager.
Brik - Student in Brussel
18 February 2013
Gigantische broodjes voor geen geld en een uitzicht om U tegen te zeggen! Natuurlijk kan je er ook studeren tijdens de blok, maar zorg dat je op tijd uit je bed bent -> de plaatsen zijn gegeerd
Benoit Labarre
19 January 2010
Tips: la cafetaria du 5ème étage offre une vue imprnable vers la Grand'Place et depuis les terrasses sur le mont des Arts. En été, pour se relaxer, le patio de l'entrée Gutenberg. Et gratuit en plus
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Mont des Arts, 1000 Brussels, Belgium Get directions
Mon-Fri 9:00 AM–7:00 PM
Sat 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

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