First Volume of Aquileia Bible Facsimile Donated to Pontifical Academies

The first volume of a faithful facsimile reproduction of the Aquileia Bible was donated to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences on September 14. The ceremony took place at the Casina di Pio IV in the Vatican Gardens.

This donation is the first part of a larger cultural project led by the Fondazione Scriptorium Foroiuliense ETS. The project aims to complete the reproduction of all five volumes of the work by 2031. The event was attended by a delegation led by the president of the foundation, along with representatives from the Italian Army, the Air Force, and political institutions. Cardinal Peter Turkson and Monsignor Dario Edoardo Viganò received the work on behalf of the pontifical institutions.

The original Aquileia Bible is a monumental manuscript from the 12th or 13th century, currently kept in the Treasury of the Gorizia Cathedral. Written in gothic book script, the work includes annotations dating as late as 1356. It is considered one of the most important testimonies of the writing tradition of the Patriarchate of Aquileia. The manuscript was previously part of the treasury of Cividale before being moved to Gorizia.

During the digital disassembly of the manuscript, scholars discovered a peculiarity regarding its binding. While the pages and fascicles were consistent, the binding was found to be reversed. The Bible is read by turning pages from right to left, but it is bound in a way that contradicts standard book construction. This discovery has led researchers to consider that the code may have been created in the East.

To ensure historical accuracy, the Opificium Librorum, a medieval production center of the foundation, used philological recovery methods. The facsimile was created using techniques of ancient scribes, including paper made from raw cotton fibers to mimic ancient parchment. The inks and colors were created using period formulas based on mineral and vegetable components. The volumes are manually assembled with natural tanned leather covers and handcrafted metal elements.

The project also involved a digital component using high definition scanning systems. These scans captured not only the ink but also the physical morphology and alterations caused by time. This digital archive is managed in synergy with NetApp to ensure long term preservation against physical degradation. Alessandro Giuli, the Italian Minister of Culture, described the reproduction as an act of high cultural responsibility and a bridge between centuries.