Teleki-Bolyai Library (Teleki Téka)
About Teleki-Bolyai Library (Teleki Téka)
The Teleki-Bolyai Library, known in Hungarian as the Teleki Téka, occupies a town palace in the centre of Târgu Mureș, on Strada Bolyai. The western part of the building was raised in the 1770s by Kata Wesselényi. From 1799 Count Sámuel Teleki, Chancellor of Transylvania in Vienna, added the large library wing, to plans by the Viennese architect Ernest Koch. The library is regarded as the first public library in Transylvania.
The collection began with the nearly 40,000 volumes that Teleki gathered over six decades from twenty-five European cities: incunabula, rare editions and the 33 volumes of Diderot and d'Alembert's Encyclopédie. The library of the Reformed College and other collections were added later, and the institution took the name Teleki-Bolyai. It is still a working library today, with a reading room and a restoration workshop.
The building also houses the Bolyai Museum, devoted to the mathematicians Farkas and János Bolyai, which opened in 1937 and moved here in 1955.
What you can see
The great hall of the library, with three "naves" and a gallery, keeps its books in the original cabinets, in the same order as from the start, behind wire mesh. Themed display cases show old books, manuscripts and maps up close, and bronze busts stand on the cabinets and on pedestals. On the ground floor, the Bolyai memorial room displays objects and furniture from the Bolyai family home and a selection of the two mathematicians' manuscripts, in copy. The inner courtyard has arcaded galleries on the ground and upper floors.
Good to know
The fresco hall, restored between 2018 and 2025, can be seen by groups that book in advance. One or two temporary exhibitions are held every year, alongside the two permanent ones. Groups can ask for a guided tour in Romanian, Hungarian or foreign languages.
Information verified on 28 October 2026.
- The great hall of the library, with its books kept in the original cabinets, in the same order as from the start.
- The display cases with old books, manuscripts and maps in the great hall.
- The Bolyai Museum on the ground floor, with objects and furniture from the home of the mathematicians Farkas and János Bolyai.
- The inner courtyard, with arcaded galleries on the ground and upper floors.
- The fresco hall, recently restored, which groups that book in advance can visit.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the library is in the centre of Târgu Mureș, at Strada Bolyai no. 17. Cluj-Napoca is ~108 km away (~1 hour 30 minutes), Sighișoara ~53 km (~1 hour, on the national road towards Târgu Mureș) and Sibiu ~124 km (~2 hours 20 minutes). Transilvania Târgu Mureș Airport is ~18 km away (~20 minutes).
Public transport: the city has train and coach links with Cluj-Napoca and other large cities. The library is ~900 m from the Palace of Culture, a ~10–15-minute walk.
- Where to park
The library has no car park of its own for visitors. In the city centre you park on the surrounding streets, paid, and the spaces fill up quickly on weekdays.
- Rules
The great hall and the memorial room are visited during the hours above; groups can ask for a guided tour. Keep quiet, and do not touch the books or display cases. The reading room follows the library's rules.
- Facilities
reading room · restoration workshop · guided tours for groups · online catalogue
Frequently asked questions about Teleki-Bolyai Library (Teleki Téka)
What are the opening hours of Teleki-Bolyai Library (Teleki Téka)?
Opening hours at Teleki-Bolyai Library (Teleki Téka): Monday closed, Tuesday–Friday 10:00 – 18:00, Saturday 10:00 – 16:00, Sunday closed. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Teleki-Bolyai Library (Teleki Téka) take?
A visit to Teleki-Bolyai Library (Teleki Téka) takes about 45 min (great hall and Bolyai Museum).
Can you visit Teleki-Bolyai Library (Teleki Téka) with kids?
Yes, Teleki-Bolyai Library (Teleki Téka) is suitable for children (short visit, guide on request).
Where can I park at Teleki-Bolyai Library (Teleki Téka)?
There is paid parking at Teleki-Bolyai Library (Teleki Téka) (on the streets in the centre). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Teleki-Bolyai Library (Teleki Téka)?
Teleki-Bolyai Library (Teleki Téka) is located at Strada Bolyai 17, Târgu Mureș, Mureș County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Teleki-Bolyai Library (Teleki Téka)?
The best season for Teleki-Bolyai Library (Teleki Téka): All year round (all year, Tuesday–Saturday).
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