Group visits to Warburg collections
Warburg Library and Collections tours
During the first half of 2025, we are offering a series of Saturday tours for the general public. Visitors interested in learning more about our Library, Photographic Collection and Archive will meet collections staff and be introduced to our collections.
Places are free but must be booked in advance on a first come first served basis.
Class visits to the Library and Photographic Collection
We welcome group visitors on a case by case basis. If you would like your MA or PhD class to have an introduction to the Warburg's collections, please contact the Library or Photographic Collection at least three weeks in advance to arrange a visit or tour.
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer tours to individuals or small groups. Individuals and small groups should book one of our public Saturday tours.
As part of a class tour we can offer a general introduction to the collections. This will cover how they are organised and an overview of their history, including the contribution of Aby Warburg.
Warburg's Bilderatlas Mnemosyne no longer exists in its original form and cannot be viewed during tours of the Library and Photographic Collection, but many of the original images and related documents are held in the Institute’s Archive.
We prefer to limit the number of people on a visit to 20. We ask visitors to observe the rules of the Library while in the stacks, to maintain a pleasant and quiet atmosphere for other readers, and not to block public areas.
We do not have public space within the Library for breakouts or class gatherings. If a room is required for this purpose it should be booked prior to the visit. Find out more about hiring a room at the Warburg Institute.
Class visits to the Archive
Group visits may include a brief introduction to the Institute’s Archive with a focus on the collection of Aby Warburg’s papers.
These introductions do not include in-depth explanations of Aby Warburg’s contribution to scholarship, e.g. his Bilderatlas Mnemosyne.
Teachers and group leaders who wish to receive an introduction of this kind need to arrange such a session at least three months in advance. This additional service will be subject to a fee; please contact us to discuss your requirements.