Isontina state library – Gorizia

Description

The Isontina State Library is situated in a 17^th century building in Gorizia that was previously a private residence (Sembler house) at the time intended to be the Jesuit school (Verdenbergico seminary). First a location for the Jesuit Library, then the Studienbibliothek of the Habsburg Empire, it housed the Staatsgymnasium (later to become the liceo classico and moved elsewhere) until 1914. Alumni include the Capuchin friar Marco d'Aviano, painters Vittorio Bolaffio and Sofronio Pocarini, philosopher Carlo Michelstaedter and poet Biagio Marin.
The building retains its original 16^th/17^th century layout with three-storeyed porticos of inner and outer loggias, a grand staircase with plasterwork and vaulted ceilings in many of the rooms. The catalogue and reading rooms, book archive, offices and communal spaces have modern furnishings. A collection of modern and contemporary art is housed in the now glassed loggias while the basement space displays both permanent and temporary exhibitions.
The building looks onto via Mameli (previously via Scuole) which leads to the central piazza della Vittoria (previously piazza Grande). The second storey loggias offer excellent views of the city’s castle and the onion-shaped bell towers of the Baroque Church of St. Ignatius. The structure also has an inner garden with a lawn and a large paved courtyard used for parking.

Position on map