Treasures from the Manuscript Department

What is normally reserved for science is made accessible to the general public in our series of thematic short tours. Selected documents from the historical holdings of the Zurich Central Library are shown and explained once a month by staff of the Manuscript Department. Participation in the guided tours is free of charge. The events are planned and carried out by: Thomas Bruggmann, Chris Bünter, Gunnar Dalvit, Sarah El Hamamsy, Laura Glöckler, Anett Lütteken, Julia Lyskawa, Christian Scheidegger, Monica Seidler-Hux, Rainer Walter und Maxi Weibel.

The lunchtime tours in 2026 again take place on Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to approx. 12:15 p.m. Venue: the Special Collections temporary reading room on the 2nd floor.

Program 2026

  • Lauter Winzigkeiten
    Saturday, 31. January
  • Giovanni Maggini (1857–1926) – Visionär der Gebrauchskartographie
    Saturday, 28. February
  • Dora Koster (1939–2017) – revolutionäre Literatur aus dem Niederdorf
    Saturday, 21. March
  • Hebräische Buchkultur in Zürich
    Saturday, 11. April
  • Alchemistische Handschriften und Drucke
    Saturday, 9. May
  • Geld und Geist in Zürich – Galeristinnen und Kunsthändler als Kulturvermittler
    Saturday, 13. June
  • Johann Jakob Breitinger (1701–1776) zum 250. Todestag
    Saturday, 4. July
  • Kräuterbücher – mehr als getrocknete Blumen
    Saturday, 29. August
  • Zürcher Schriftstellerinnen in der ZB
    Saturday, 19. September
  • Zeugnisse der Arbeiter:innen-Bewegung in Zürich
    Saturday, 24. October
  • Graubünden in Zürich – Bündner Manuskripte in der ZB
    Saturday, 14. November
  • Hochzeitsbräuche und Hochzeitstrends aus früheren Zeiten
    Saturday, 12. December

You can download the annual program as a PDF here.

Never miss an event!

Our monthly Newsletter keeps you informed not only about Manuscript Saturdays but also about numerous other events and services of the ZB.


Header: Montage aus: vermutlich Antoinette Lisette Fäsi (1730–1808): Lavater am Schreibpult, Scherenschnitt, und Brief aus dem Familienarchiv Hirzel, Ende 18. Jahrhundert.