Archivio Storico Civico e Biblioteca Trivulziana

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Did Leonardo da Vinci ever imagine his notebook would reside within the Archivio Storico Civico e Biblioteca Trivulziana? This incredible institution, nestled within Milan’s Castello Sforzesco, houses not only Da Vinci’s Cod. Triv. 2162 but a treasure trove of historical documents and books. The Archivio Storico Civico e Biblioteca Trivulziana was born in 1935. The city of Milan acquired the Trivulzio family’s impressive book collection and merged it with the existing civic archive. This union created a unique institution dedicated to preserving and promoting Milan’s rich cultural heritage. The Archivio Storico Civico e Biblioteca Trivulziana boasts over 1,300 manuscripts. Some 507 of those manuscripts date back to medieval times. It also holds 1,300 incunabula, which are books printed before 1501. There are also 16,000 publications from the 16th century and over 180,000 printed editions. The document collection itself stretches an astounding 1,280 meters in length. Within this massive collection, you’ll find administrative documents from the Municipality of Milan. The archive also houses other collections acquired through donations or purchases, including those of Arrighetti, Barbò, Bardi, and many more. An intriguing part of the collection relates to the Trivulzio family themselves, along with the Belgioioso collection. This archive became part of the Trivulzio holdings through a marriage in 1864. It eventually passed to the city of Milan in 1935. Among the gems within the Archivio Storico Civico e Biblioteca Trivulziana are illuminated parchments. One of the most significant is the oldest dated and illuminated copy of Dante’s Divine Comedy, Cod. Triv. 1080. The library continues to expand its collection, acquiring both valuable historical materials and modern research publications. The Archivio Storico Civico e Biblioteca Trivulziana is more than just an archive. It is a living testament to Milan’s vibrant history and a journey through the literary and artistic achievements of centuries past.

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