At the risk of disappearing down a rabbit hole (which I’ve always liked the idea of…) I’ve come across an amazing late 14th century manuscript of Dante’s Divine Comedy, beautifully photographed and available on line. It is just incredible.

A little background – Dante was one of Italy’s greatest writers, he lived in Florence, where he was born around 1265. He was exiled from the city and spent many years wandering across Northern Italy. During this time he write ‘La Commedia’ an epic poem, written in three parts. The poem was a journey that Dante embarked upon with Virgil, the Roman Poet as his guide. The poem is divided into three sections; Inferno (Hell), Purgatorio (Purgatory) and Paradiso (Paradise). Dante wrote in the common language of his city, the Tuscan dialect. This meant the poem could be read and appreciated by ordinary people. Before Dante books were written in Latin, meaning that they could only be read by educated people.

Dante wrote the ‘Commedia’ from 1308-1321.

The Biblioteca Guarneriana, located in the small town of San Daniele in north-eastern Italy has a superb manuscript of the ‘Commedia’ which has been digitised and can be viewed on line. This is an amazing treasure trove, to be found in this small market town – better known for its air-dried ham than its literature. The team here at the library are doing a superlative job of making this unique and priceless manuscript available to all. Here are just a few of my favourite illustrations from this extraordinary work:

Here are a few pictures that I particularly liked:

Firstly, Dante at work at his desk, nestled in a large letter N. His flowing gown and hat clearly typical of Dante-esque clothing.

Secondly – a small painting of Virgil (Dante’s guide) and Dante. He is being led through a landscape similar in style to a Giotto fresco. This manuscript is dated at late 14th century. It’s important to remember that the script is all done by hand, copied out meticulously by professional scribes – often in a monastery. The scribes worked in a room called ‘The Scriptorium’.

Next comes the illustration of the ‘inferno’ hell in other words. Where souls are tortured, dismembered and thrown into burning flames as punishment for their behaviour on Earth. All these illustrations were done by hand and then carefully illuminated, with bright colours and even gold leaf. Dante and Virgil look on whilst a boat full of tormented souls beg for mercy.

Lastly I have chosen Cerberus, the three headed wolf-dog who guards the entry to the underworld. In the case of Dante – Cerberus guards the ‘Third Circle of Hell’. Virgil and Dante can only get past him by throwing earth into each of his three mouths. A chilling and frightening task.

This superb manuscript is available on line and has been lovingly digitised, making it accessible to all of us. www.guarneriana.it

Notes:

• I wrote a very brief piece about Dante whose epic poem ‘La Commedia’ is compulsory learning for all Italian school children. Here is the link: Italy’s Greatest Poet: Dante – Italy’s greatest poet
• You can follow the ‘Biblioteca’ on Facebook here: Civica Biblioteca Guarneriana 
• Much of Dante’s manuscript has been digitised and is available to view here: www.guarneriana.it
• I’ve also written about numerous libraries – for me a library is a ‘Sanatorium for the Mind’ a place of tranquility and regeneration. A library is a sanatorium for the mind
• Complimenti to those dedicated individuals responsible for organising, maintaining and curating this wonderful library.
• You can support and like Biblioteca Guarneriana on Facebook: civica biblioteca guarneriana
• Facebook: Civica Biblioteca Guarneriana

• If you’d like to disappear down the same rabbit hole as I did – and frequently do you can follow me on my blog:
• www.educated-traveller.com
• I write extensively about Italy, The Alps and British Isles.
• After all falling down rabbit holes has got some pretty interesting precedents!!
• Happy Reading!

• Thoughts from London: 23rd April, 2020
• Revised: November, 2024
• June 2026