The two precious reserves of the Moretus Plantin University Library preserve around 100,000 works and remarkable items dating from the late Middle Ages to the present day: manuscripts and autographs, incunabula, printed books, maps and plans, institutional archives, old newspapers, posters and prints, seals, photographic plates, postcards...

The reserves house fundamental works and rare editions relating to all disciplines taught or researched since the founding of the first faculties in Namur. By way of example, the BUMP holds an exceptional collection of illustrated botanical books built up from the library of Father Bellynck (1814-1877), and donations from the Count of Limminghe and, subsequently, Baron Empain.

Livre précieux de la BUMP

The BUMP is also the custodian of a collection of over 600 16th-century Plantinian editions (including several very rare copies) and specific collections linked to the Prince de Ligne, an emblematic figure of 18th-century aristocratic Europe.

Un patrimoine universitaire diversifié

Le patrimoine académique de notre Institution constitue un témoignage concret de l’histoire de la pédagogie et de la recherche scientifique namuroises. L’UNamur sauvegarde notamment plusieurs herbiers historiques (le NAM) ainsi qu’un ensemble unique de modèles Brendel, objets en papier mâché utilisés à la fin du XIXe siècle pour l’enseignement de la botanique.  

Ressource précieuse de la BUMP

A diversified university heritage

The academic heritage of our Institution is a concrete testimony to the history of teaching and scientific research in Namur. In particular, UNamur safeguards several historic herbariums (the NAM) as well as a unique set of Brendel models, papier-mâché objects used at the end of the 19th century to teach botany. In addition to its botanical collections, the University also holds some very fine zoological and mineralogical collections, as well as old scientific instruments. An inventory is currently being drawn up by the departments concerned.

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Manipulation de livres précieux à la BUMP

Heritage Division

Conservation, restoration of fragile items, cataloguing and promotion of collections (digitization, publications, exhibitions, etc.) are carried out within the library by the Heritage Department. Exceptional documents or those of particular interest to local or regional history are gradually being digitized on the NEPTUN portal.

Consultation of valuable works

For all requests to consult precious works, go to the "Consultations" page.