Vatican Library

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The Vatican Library (Bibliotheca Apostolica Vaticana) is the library of the Holy See, located in Vatican City. It is one of the oldest libraries in the world and contains one of the most significant collections of historical texts. The library was formally established in 1475, although it is much older, and it has been open to scholars throughout its history.

History

The origins of the Vatican Library can be traced back to the early days of the Catholic Church. The library was significantly expanded during the Renaissance under the patronage of Pope Nicholas V, who is often credited with founding the modern Vatican Library. He collected a vast number of manuscripts and books, laying the foundation for the library's extensive collection.

Collections

The Vatican Library holds a vast collection of manuscripts, books, and other historical documents. Its collections include:

• Over 1.1 million printed books
• Approximately 75,000 codices from throughout history
• 8,500 incunabula (books printed before 1501)
• A significant number of maps, prints, and drawings

The library is particularly renowned for its collection of illuminated manuscripts and ancient texts, including works from classical antiquity and the Middle Ages.

Notable Manuscripts

Some of the most notable manuscripts in the Vatican Library include:

• The Codex Vaticanus, one of the oldest extant manuscripts of the Bible
• The Vergilius Vaticanus, an illustrated manuscript of Virgil's works from the 5th century
• The Codex Borgia, a pre-Columbian Mesoamerican manuscript

Access and Use

The Vatican Library is primarily a research library, and access is generally restricted to qualified scholars and researchers. However, the library has made efforts to digitize its collections and make them available online to a broader audience.

Related Institutions

The Vatican Library is closely associated with other institutions within the Vatican, including the Vatican Museums and the Secret Archives. These institutions work together to preserve and study the vast cultural and historical heritage of the Catholic Church.

See Also

• Vatican Museums
• Secret Archives
• Holy See
• Pope Nicholas V
• Illuminated manuscript
• Codex Vaticanus
• Vergilius Vaticanus
• Codex Borgia