Salita dei Frati Library

MARIO BOTTA, 1976-79

The Salita dei Frati Library, which has been in existence since the 16th century, is housed in a building designed by architect Mario Botta near the Capuchin Convent in Lugano and was opened to the public in 1980 in order to make the convent's rich library holdings available to scholars and readers.

The Salita dei Frati Library is managed by the association of the same name, which constantly increases its bibliographic holdings and organises cultural activities (conferences, conventions, seminars) on themes of religious culture (spirituality, the Bible, Franciscanism), bibliography, philosophy, history, literature and an exhibition activity aimed mainly at artists' books.