UNESCO World Heritage

The UBL holds five sets of manuscripts recognised by UNESCO as documents of universal value and exceptional significance to the world. They are included in UNESCO's International World Heritage list of documents (Memory of the World Register).

Hikayat Aceh manuscripts

A seventeenth-century history of the sultanate of Atjeh and the rule of Sultan Iskandar Muda (1583-1636), a national hero in Indonesia. The history unfolds against the backdrop of a globalizing world, with Chinese, Portugese and Ottoman-Turkish relations and influences.

Digital Collections: Or. 1954
Digital Collections: Or. 1983

Recognised in the Memory of the World register: 2023
In collaboration with the National Library of Indonesia.

Ferdinandi Oliveri de Sancta Columba: Viagem de Fernao de Magalhaes

Manuscript containing an account of the first voyage around the globe by Ferdinand Magellan, as told by Fernão de Oliveira.

Digital Collections: VLF 41

Recognised in the Memory of the World register: 2023
In collaboration with Portugal en Spain.

Panji-manuscripts

A set of Javanese stories about the mythical prince Panji, which serves as a source of literature, dance, shadow puppetry (Wajang), and painting in the Malay world and Southeast Asia.

Digital Collections

Recognised in the Memory of the World register: 2017
In collaboration with the National Libraries of Indonesia, Malaysia en Cambodia.

Babad Diponegoro

An autobiographical chronicle of Prince Diponegoro (1785-1855). As the leader of the rebellion against colonial rule of the Netherlands during the Java War (1825-1830), Diponegoro became a national hero of Indonesia.

Digital Collections: D H 589 a

Recognised in the Memory of the World register: 2013
In collaboration with the National Library of Indonesia.

La Galigo

An epic poem in Buginese containing a mythical account of the origins of humanity. It is also the longest epic poem in the world.

Digital Collections: NBG-Boeg 188

Recognised in the Memory of the World register: 2011
In collaboration with the Museum La Galigo, Makassar (Indonesia)