Handschriften

Manuscripts of the Cologne Diocesan and Cathedral Library

The Diocesan and Cathedral Library houses approximately 1,000 medieval and early modern manuscripts from various owners.

The manuscript collection of the Cologne Cathedral Library remains the property of the Metropolitan Chapter of Cologne Cathedral to this day, constituting a "permanent loan" of unique scholarly and artistic significance. The library dates back to the era of Archbishop Hildebald of Cologne (†818) and originated from his personal manuscript collection. Exactly 100 of these manuscripts were produced prior to the year 1000.

The manuscripts in the Diocesan Library came into the library's possession through various channels. Following the secularization of monasteries and collegiate foundations, the majority arrived—mostly during the 19th century—at what was then the library of the priests' seminary; in the early 20th century, that library also acquired holdings from old parish libraries.

The manuscripts from the St. Albertus Magnus Library, owned by the Dominican Order, are also managed as part of the collection. Additional medieval manuscripts are held by individual parishes within the Archdiocese of Cologne.

The medieval manuscript holdings of the Diocesan and Cathedral Library, as well as manuscripts held in various external locations, were digitized between 2000 and 2004 as part of the Codices Electronici Ecclesiae Coloniensis project, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). In 2018–2019, the digital copies of the approximately 400 manuscripts were integrated into the Digital library. Relevant catalogue descriptions and research literature are listed for each manuscript.

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