Join us on a journey back in time to the 19th century. Beautiful English mahogany bookcases in classic empire with palmettes, marble busts and bas-reliefs by the sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen, copper engravings by Giuseppe Vasi, Norse sagas and fairy tales, dictionaries and encyclopedias, beautiful book bindings in parchment, calfskin and saffian. Missale Nidrosiense from 1519, the first printed altar book for the Norwegian Church - to name a few.
NTNU Gunnerus Library is Norway's oldest scientific library. The library's history goes back to 1768, as a library at the Royal Norwegian Science Society. Behind a locked door on the library's second floor, normally closed to the public, lies a rare little gem of a historical piece of Norway and Trondheim's history. The Knutdzon Hall is a recreated library interior from Trondheim from the beginning of the 19th century belonging to the legendary merchant Broder Lysholm Knudtzon, co-owner of the Knudtzon trading house in Trondheim. Through trips to England, Italy, France and Denmark, he got to know important contemporary artists and writers. Knudtzon's beautiful library, with bookshelves and art objects can be experienced during this year's Hyfer på Kalvskinnet. The Gunnerus Library is today part of the NTNU University Library. The library also has Special Collections and part of the special collections is an intact library from the beginning of the 19th century. It was once owned by Broder Lysholm Knudtzon, who bequeathed his book collection to the DKNVS library when he died in 1864.
Note: Limited tickets, registration required.
Tour times (30 min):
Friday 22nd September:
Guided tour in Norwegian: 15:30 and 16:30
Guided tour in English: 14:30
Saturday 23rd September
Guided tour in Norwegian: 13:00 and 14:00
Guided tour in English: 12:00