On 27 February 2026, the National Library of Portugal (BNP) celebrated 230 years of public service dedicated to preserving the nation’s memory, facilitating research, and providing access to knowledge.

Established in 1796 by royal decree of Queen Maria I, the Library became pivotal in the modernization of the State, promoting central access to knowledge and the professionalization of library management. Supported by royal patronage and the 1805 Legal Deposit Law, the institution has played a crucial role in collecting the nation’s literary heritage. Following its relocation to the Chiado convent in the 1830s, the Library moved to its current home in Campo Grande in 1969. Designed by Porfírio Pardal Monteiro, this landmark building seamlessly blends functionality with architectural prestige.

The BNP has continued to innovate, introducing digital tools such as PORBASE in the 1980s and developing a National Digital Library. Thanks to the PRR, millions of documents are being digitized, and collections are made accessible online, along with investing in conservation and cataloguing. Today, the National Library of Portugal stands as a key, forward-looking cultural hub, committed to Open Science and the digital transition.