The Rare Book Library of the Monastery of São Bento is one of the great cultural treasures of São Paulo, housing more than 100,000 works in its collection. Dating back to the 16th century, it is considered the oldest library in São Paulo still in operation and one of the oldest in Brazil, located just a few steps from the city’s Marco Zero.
Its rare books section, for example, includes volumes dating from before the Portuguese arrived in Brazil. Learn more about this cultural treasure!
History andrelics of the collection
The library was founded in 1598, with the arrival of Benedictine monks in the region that is now the city of São Paulo. As was customary, the monks brought with them works from Europe on theology, philosophy, botany, and history.
Among the total of 115,000 volumes, 581 are rare books from the 15th and 18th centuries. Of these, six are incunabula —prints from the early days of the printing press, that is, predating the year 1500. The oldest is a New Testament from 1496, kept in a separate room with controlled humidity and temperature to ensure its preservation.
The space also stands out for its collection of early religious publications, which include sermons, missals, and biblical commentaries dating back more than 500 years—many of them featuring handwritten annotations that are centuries old. Thanks to this wealth of resources, the site is currently one of the most important monastic collections in Brazil!
From its origins to the modern era: discover the São Bento Monastery Library
Over the centuries, the site closely followed the development of São Paulo, and many of the former monks were among the city’s first historians. But today, in addition to the relics, the collection also features modern works of fiction, such as “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1943).
Because it houses so many rare works, São Paulo’s oldest library has restricted access. The space is open only to the approximately 40 monks residing at the monastery, although students from São Bento College may also consult the collection.
External researchers wishing to consult the works may request special authorization from the administration. For more information, contact the Rare Book Library of the Monastery of São Bento by email at biblioteca@mosteiro.org.br or by phone at (11) 3328-8799 (extension 8263).
📍 Where: Largo de São Bento, s/n – Downtown
