A hidden treasure reveals 1500 years of world knowledge and book art of times long past.

An incomparable treasure of knowledge rests in Zeitz: the medieval and early modern holdings of the Zeitz Abbey Library are among the oldest and most important book collections in Saxony-Anhalt. Unique is the coherence of the historically grown holdings, which reveal true treasures: the fragments of the Zeitz Easter tablet from the 5th century, a Latin Old High German confession from the early 9th century or the Ptolemy manuscript from 1477 with the Zeitz world map. This "mappa mundi Cicensis" is the only medieval world map preserved in Germany. It illustrates the world view of that time, shaped by numerous mythical countries with fabulous beings. Julius Pflug, the last bishop of Naumburg, who died in 1563, donated by far the most important historical part of the library with his private library. Pflug may rightly be called Martin Luther's most important opponent. He got caught up in the maelstrom of the Reformation and was one of the first to strive - in vain - for a balance between the denominations. With almost 1,200 volumes, his library is still preserved in its original location. Here, the revolutionary developments in book history can be traced: from 400 medieval and 450 early modern manuscripts to outstandingly designed incunabula and around 30,000 prints from the 16th to 18th centuries.

The holdings of the Zeitz Abbey Library are still used for research today. However, visits are only possible within a guided tour. Selected pieces and the overwhelming diversity of the collection are explained.