Libraries

The National Library in Madrid, which was founded in 1712 as Royal Library, is the largest of Spain; It contains over 4 million volumes. The most special collections of the library are old and rare books (sometimes copies only), maps, prints and Cervantes magnificent room, which is dedicated to the writings of the great Spanish novelist Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. The library of the Royal Palace (1760) Madrid has many outstanding issues of the sixteenth century, and excellent collections of manuscripts, engravings and music. One of the most comprehensive libraries of Spain is the library of the Complutense University of Madrid, which contains more than 800,000 volumes and more than 270,000 brochures. The library of the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, near Madrid, is known for its collection of old and rare books; These include the world's finest collection of ancient books in Arabic. Archives and Library Council of Toledo Cathedral is famous for its collection of 3,000 manuscripts of the eighth and ninth centuries and more than 10,000 documents from the eleventh century