Athanasius Kircher books in order
German Jesuit scholar
- Lived
- 1602–1680
- Country
- Holy Roman Empire
- Books
- 6
Athanasius Kircher published 5 novels and 1 non-fiction book, beginning with Musurgia Universalis (1650). The best-known is China Illustrata (1667).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Athanasius Kircher
Start here
China Illustrata
Athanasius Kircher's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Musurgia Universalis (1650)
Oedipus Aegyptiacus (1652)
Scrutinium Physico-Medicum (1658)
Mundus Subterraneus (1665)
Turris Babel (1679)
Non-fiction in order
China Illustrata (1667)
About Athanasius Kircher
Athanasius Kircher was a German Jesuit scholar and polymath who published around 40 major works of comparative religion, geology, and medicine. Kircher has been compared to fellow Jesuit Roger Joseph Boscovich and to Leonardo da Vinci for his vast range of interests, and has been honoured with the title "Master of a Hundred Arts". He taught for more than 40 years at the Roman College, where he set up a wunderkammer or cabinet of curiosities that would become the Kircherian Museum. A resurgence of interest in Kircher has occurred within the scholarly community in recent decades.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Athanasius Kircher FAQ
- How many books has Athanasius Kircher written?
- Athanasius Kircher published 5 novels and 1 non-fiction book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Athanasius Kircher's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with China Illustrata.
- What is Athanasius Kircher's last book?
- Turris Babel (1679).
- What is Athanasius Kircher's most famous book?
- China Illustrata (1667) is Athanasius Kircher's most widely read book.
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.