Codex Calixtinus

[Silvermomma]

Can one see the copy (original?) of the Codex Calixtinus housed in the cathedral of Santiago? Wasn't it stolen a few years ago and found in a chicken coop?

 

[Tincatinker]

It’s all here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codex_Calixtinus

Remember, there was once a man who said “nothing was true” but was later found to have lied

 

[David Tallan]

Can one see the copy (original?) of the Codex Calixtinus housed in the cathedral of Santiago? Wasn't it stolen a few years ago and found in a chicken coop?

In my recent experiences in Spain, only facsimiles of medieval manuscripts seem to be on display. I expect it would be the same for any "Codex Calixtinus" you might see.

Very different from my memories of the British Library. I pay particular attention to this as an aficionado of medieval calligraphy and illumination.

 

[Silvermomma]

It’s all here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codex_Calixtinus

Remember, there was once a man who said “nothing was true” but was later found to have lied

Yes, thanks, I was wondering if one could see it in the archives or museum or whatever in the Santiago Cathedral.

 

[Tincatinker]

I believe the Codex is exposed from time to time in the museum attached to the cathedral. The relevant website might help. I’m on my phone in a noisy pub but I’m sure the relevant information is accessible. If you want to read the text then the online versions are your better route. If you just want to look at an old book through security glass then the museum will provide

 

[Pafayac]

You can see a copy in the cathedral museum library.

 

[Bradypus]

In my recent experiences in Spain, only facsimiles of medieval manuscripts seem to be on display. I expect it would be the same for any "Codex Calixtinus" you might see.

Very different from my memories of the British Library. I pay particular attention to this as an aficionado of medieval calligraphy and illumination.

I learned about the Caminos from my late mother-in-law who walked from SJPDP in 1985. Barbara's grandfather had been an avid collector of antiquarian books living in rural Vermont in the late 19th century - buying them off a wagon from a travelling dealer. One of these had been passed down the generations to Barbara - a 14th or 15th century manuscript copy of the Confessions by Saint Augustine. Probably written in a Dutch monastery as a working library copy. Barbara kept the book in her house in London and I leafed through it occasionally - not too often because I tended to drool at the sight of it! So it had crossed the Atlantic at least twice to our knowledge. After Barbara's death it was handed on to my wife. A very beautiful thing and a very tangible link with the past. No matter how faithful a copy is a facsimile will never quite have the same emotive power of an original piece.

 

[Silvermomma]

I learned about the Caminos from my late mother-in-law who walked from SJPDP in 1985. Barbara's grandfather had been an avid collector of antiquarian books living in rural Vermont in the late 19th century - buying them off a wagon from a travelling dealer. One of these had been passed down the generations to Barbara - a 14th or 15th century manuscript copy of the Confessions by Saint Augustine. Probably written in a Dutch monastery as a working library copy. Barbara kept the book in her house in London and I leafed through it occasionally - not too often because I tended to drool at the sight of it! So it had crossed the Atlantic at least twice to our knowledge. After Barbara's death it was handed on to my wife. A very beautiful thing and a very tangible link with the past. No matter how faithful a copy is a facsimile will never quite have the same emotive power of an original piece.

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This is fabulous - a traveling old book dealer! I agree about the power of presence of manuscripts and old prints. But of course every time we get to see or even touch one, that means it's been exposed to more pollutants and harm.

 

[Saint Mike II]

I tried to buy a copy, translated into English, a number of years ago. I did find an appropriate website but did not follow through. Might be opportune to search again for VolV.

 

[henrythedog]

I’m on my phone in a noisy pub

And all manner of things shall be well.