Threat to national heritage: Historic Hungarian abbey library closes due to infestation
The Pannonhalma Archabbey Library, one of Hungary’s oldest and most treasured collections, faces an unprecedented crisis. From 1 June 2025, the library will be closed to visitors, tourists, and researchers for at least seven months as experts battle a large-scale insect infestation threatening its priceless holdings.
A threat to national heritage
According to the official statement of the Pannonhalma Archabbey Library, the infestation, discovered during routine cleaning, was caused by the bread beetle (Stegobium paniceum), a common pest typically found in food stores but capable of devastating historical libraries. The beetles were drawn to the animal-based glue and plant starch in the bindings and spines of old books, where they found both food and a protected breeding ground. The larvae, in particular, cause the most damage by burrowing through the pages and bindings during their feeding stage.
This outbreak is described as the largest of its kind ever recorded in Hungary’s historic collections. The classicist library hall, home to about 400,000 volumes and a cornerstone of national intellectual heritage, is now at risk. As the abbey’s statement put it, the question is not simply whether the public can enter the 200-year-old building, but whether the library itself will survive for future generations.
How did this happen?
Experts believe the infestation was accelerated by rising temperatures and humidity—conditions linked to climate change—which favour rapid reproduction of the beetles. In recent years, the average temperature and moisture levels in the library have increased, further aiding the pests’ spread. The beetles likely entered the library through windows, doors, or even on visitors’ clothing, seeking out the unique resources found in the centuries-old books.
Immediate response and preservation efforts
Upon discovery, the abbey immediately involved Hungarian and international experts to develop a rescue plan. The chosen method is a completely chemical-free process, already proven effective in other countries. Each book will be treated individually in a nitrogen-rich, oxygen-free environment, which kills the insects without harming the delicate materials. After this, every surface in the library will be meticulously cleaned before the books are returned to their shelves.
This painstaking process is expected to take at least seven months, with a dedicated team working long hours on site. Moving the books elsewhere was deemed too risky due to their fragility and sheer volume—nearly 100,000 volumes require treatment in place.
What is at stake?
While the most valuable items, such as codices and incunabula, are stored separately and have not been affected, the scale of the infestation means that a significant portion of the library’s holdings is at risk. The full extent of the damage can only be assessed after the preservation work is complete.
The abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Memorial, welcomes around 140,000 visitors annually. The closure is a significant blow, not only to scholars and tourists, but to Hungary’s cultural heritage as a whole.
Restoration and prevention
Once the immediate crisis is resolved, the abbey plans to implement climate adaptation and library engineering upgrades to prevent future infestations. Restoration of damaged books will follow, with funding for this phase still being sought. The abbey appeals to all who value cultural heritage for support in this monumental task.
“Now, the priority is not just to assess the damage, but to save the collection—to eliminate the infestation and ensure the survival of this irreplaceable library for generations to come,” the abbey emphasised.
Read also: