The Building
The structure was constructed as a hospital in 1722, based on a design by Giuseppe Merenda.
On Merenda’s death, in a partial modification of the initial design, only three of the four planned internal courtyards were built and a monumental staircase was constructed by Raimondo Compagnoni. The current façade dates back to 1827, designed by Giuseppe Pani. In 1848, engineer Giuseppe Cantoni enlarged the establishment with an area dedicated to the ‘exposed’ (orphans) and one for hydrotherapy. The use of the building was redirected to the headquarters of the cultural institutes in 1922, following the construction of a new building for use as a hospital.
The Library
The Library’s collections developed around the main nucleus of books donated by Marcantonio Albicini in 1750; they grew over time thanks to purchases and donations, including the prestigious Piancastelli Collections.
Today, the library provides access not only to the collection of modern books, but also to a large section dedicated to children and young people, rare books, manuscripts and valuable materials, as well as to the digital platforms of the Rete Bibliotecaria di Romagna (Romagna Library Network).
It offers bibliographic consultancy services and consultation of the Antiquarian Collections and the Piancastelli Collections.
The Library is also involved in projects to enhance and promote reading aimed at users and schools.