Nov 12, 2025
The only surviving chained library in Poland is located in the Basilica of St John the Apostle in Oleśnica.
It was founded in 1594 by Charles II of Podiebrad and placed in the southern vestibule above the church entrance, accessible via a spiral staircase.
The library was public in character, and the books were kept on shelves. To prevent theft, readers would attach the books to the lecterns with chains, some of which were over half a metre long. Only the librarian was allowed to detach a chain from the bar on the lectern.
To this day, 239 volumes have survived, 52 of them still with their original chains.
In the 1990s, the books underwent restoration and conservation.
