Zentralinstitut für Kunstgeschichte München: Information on the library and photo archive
The Zentralinstitut für Kunstgeschichte (ZI) is the only independent art-historical research institute in Germany. It is dedicated to the history of art in a global context.

Mo  09:00 - 20:00
Tu  09:00 - 20:00
We  09:00 - 20:00
Th  09:00 - 20:00
Fr  09:00 - 20:00  Sa  closed  Su  closed
Note: Angegeben sind die Öffnungszeiten der Bibliothek

Why the ZI in Munich is worth a visit:
The Zentralinstitut für Kunstgeschichte on Munich's Königsplatz is a place of art-historical research.
What to see? With one of the world's most important and largest specialized art-historical libraries (over 750,000 volumes, approx. 1,200 current periodicals and over 77,000 auction catalogues), the image stocks of the photographic archive (approx. 900,000 media units) and numerous online services and databases, the ZI is not only an important forum for academic exchange, but also a central service institution. It offers outstanding possibilities for art-historical research.
What’s special? Since 1947, the art-historical forum has been located in a historic building on Königsplatz, the former "Administrative Building of the National Socialist Party". Visitors can learn about the history of the building and the former political district on site.

The most important information at a glance
Location: In the Kunstareal district, on Königsplatz
Museum category: Art and culture
Directions: Tram 27 or 28 to "Karolinenplatz", underground train U2 to "Königsplatz" or S-Bahn to "Karlsplatz (Stachus)"
Parking: Only public parking is available
Library and photo archive
The ZI has one of the largest and most significant arthistorical libraries worldwide, counting over 700,000 volumes, approx. 1,200 periodical subscriptions and over 76,000 auction catalogues. These join the image holdings of its photographic archive (approx. 900,000 items) as well as numerous international online resources and databases to make the ZI a major service institution offering outstanding opportunities for art-historical research. With its rich program of scholarly events open to the public the ZI understands its role as a forum for scholarly exchange and discussion of current methodological issues and topics in art history.

Exhibitions and guided tours
In temporary exhibitions on various topics of art history, the institute presents the stocks of its library and photographic archive to the public.
In addition, public guided tours on the history of the former NSDAP centre are offered. Group tours can also be arranged on request.

Events
The institution offers an event programme for scholarly audiences:
The research institution hosts numerous international conferences and colloquia - nationally and internationally.
Regular talks and lectures by domestic and foreign speakers provide insights into the current state of art-historical research.
The discussion of new results with the expert audience is an instrument of research promotion.

Accessibility and services for people with disabilities
Barrier-free access is available via an outside lift at the south gate, which is operated by staff (please ring the bell). The staff are also happy to help you in the areas of the library and photo archive with limited barrier-free access.
Accessible toilets can be found on the first floor.
Admission and registration
The admission to the Zentralinstitut für Kunstgeschichte is free of charge.
For initial registration please bring a passport or official ID and appropriate proof of academic or professional qualifications or, if a student, your student ID or proof of university registration.

Online services
With numerous online services and databases, the ZI offers outstanding working possibilities for art historical research:
App MunichArtToGo: The app MunichArtToGo makes it possible to explore Munich's urban space anew with the help of the ZI's unique sources and image collections - directly on site or from home. Stories about Munich are presented in short stories. MunichArtToGo makes it possible to experience historical places and constellations and makes the connections between past and present visible: https://municharttogo.zikg.eu/
Blog of the ZI: ZI researchers, librarians, assistants, doctoral students, fellows and academic guests write about their research approaches, research ideas and current events: www.zispotlight.de
YouTube: The channel features recordings of past events and short films on research projects and exhibitions – in German and English language.
Google Arts & Culture: The photo archive on Google Arts & Culture presents more than 16,000 historical photographs of Munich as well as a large selection of historical views and photographs of buildings in other German cities.
Digital collection: Digitized rare books, digitization projects and publications are available in open access here.
Böhler re:search: A digital edition of the archive of the art dealer Julius Böhler. Founded in 1880, this internationally active Munich-based company was one of the largest art galleries in the German-speaking area. The source is of great importance for provenance research: http://boehler.zikg.eu/
GDK Research: The image-based research platform publishes unknown photographic documents on state-sponsored art of the Nazi era and the Great German Art Exhibitions 1937-1944 in Munich.
RDK Labor: An online platform for art historical object research, originating from the Reallexikon zur Deutschen Kunstgeschichte. New articles from the fields of architecture, fine arts, arts and crafts and iconography, as well as on materials and techniques, are constantly being published here.

History of the Zentralinstitut für Kunstgeschichte
Since 1947, the Zentralinstitut für Kunstgeschichte has been located in a historic building on Königsplatz, the former "Administrative Building of the National Socialist Party". From spring 1933 onwards, more than fifty buildings along Brienner Straße, Arcisstraße, Gabelsbergerstraße, Barer Straße and Karlstraße as well as adjoining streets became the property of the NSDAP. They were demolished or converted, and a new party center was created on Königsplatz: a monumental forum of bureaucracy and cult.
After 1945, the American Military Government initially used the barely damaged large buildings as a "Central Art Collecting Point" for Nazi looted art. Later, the buildings were given to cultural institutions. For more than 20 years, the ZI has been intensively engaged in the art history of National Socialism and the immediate post-war period. In 2015, the Munich Documentation Center for the History of National Socialism was also opened in the immediate vicinity at the site of the "Braune Haus" on Brienner Straße.

In cooperation with the cultural department and the museums
This article about Munich's museums is sponsored by the Cultural Department of the City of Munich and was conceived in cooperation with the State Agency for Non-State Museums in Bavaria. The content has been coordinated between the participating museums and muenchen.de, the official city portal.
At a glance

Zentralinstitut für Kunstgeschichte
Katharina-von-Bora-Str. 10  80333 München
Tel: +498928927556  Fax: +498928927607
    info@zikg.eu
    http://www.zikg.eu/