Main Library, Sárospatak Reformed College

The beginning of the history of the Main Library coincides with the founding of the college: the institution has been in operation since 1531. The collection, which also contains donations from prominent figures of Hungarian history, valuable publications and curiosities, currently contains more than 440,000 books and manuscripts. Books of particular value on theology, philosophy, literature, linguistics, social sciences and history can be found here. It was during the time János Erdélyi (1814-1868), poet, critic and editor, was the head librarian, that the book collection was upgraded to European standards and the collection was renewed from a library science point of view. The large library hall was built in the first decades of the 19th century according to the plans of Mihály Pollack. The star-shaped flooring with inlays made from eleven different types of wood and the shelving are the work of Kristóf Brenning, master carpenter from Sátoraljaújhely. On the flat ceiling of the library, the allegory of arts and sciences was painted by the master painter József Linzbauer from Kassa. A part of the collection, some 25,000 volumes, is still in the library hall.