The Vatican's Apostolic Library is reopening to scholars following a three-year, euro9-million ($11.5- million) renovation to install climate-controlled rooms for its precious manuscripts and state-of-the-art security measures to prevent theft and loss.
The library, started by Pope Nicholas V in the 1450s, houses one of the world's best collections of illuminated manuscripts. It includes the oldest known complete Bible, dating from about 325 and believed to have been one of the 50 bibles commissioned by Emperor Constantine, the first Christian Roman leader.
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How wonderful and fascinating is this? You don't even have to be a Roman Catholic to appreciate the history of this event. The library started over 500 years ago. How cool is that? Not to mention that the imagery is absolutely breathtaking. Look at the artwork in the gallery that goes along with the link (to the news story). It's just... so beautiful.
(from the news page, this image does not belong to me)
I'm a big nerd for libraries, especially ones that are aesthetically pleasing. I want to settle down upon the floor between shelves and embrace the fragrance of weathered pages.
