The importance of the CRAI Library of Historical Archives (known as CRAI Library of Reserve until 2021) lies in the number and richness of the volumes it safeguards. Following the nationalization laws of ecclesiastical property in 1835-1836, the collection of convent libraries in Barcelona — exceptionally rich in manuscripts, incunabula, and printed works from 1501 to 1820 — was brought together at the University to form a large public library.

Today, these books constitute the core of the collection. This core is complemented by an important collection of engravings and parchments, as well as certain donations, such as the Grewe collection on food and gastronomy.

Access to the CRAI Library of Historical Archives, which holds a collection of over 150,000 documents, is open to the general public. More specifically, its significant collection supports students, faculty, and researchers — both from the University of Barcelona (UB) and other national and international institutions — in the fields of teaching and research. It also participates in various national and international projects and resources and offers visits for the general public and other academic audiences.

Contact: https://crai.ub.edu/es/conoce-el-crai/bibliotecas/crai-biblioteca-de-fondo-antiguo