Museo dei Codici
Museum | Monteprandone | Marche | Italy
The Museo dei Codici of San Giacomo della Marca in Monteprandone, a town in the Marche region of Italy, is a significant cultural center dedicated to the preservation and presentation of the historical library of Saint James of the Marches. San Giacomo, a Franciscan preacher of the 15th century, founded an extensive collection of manuscripts and books that today represent a valuable part of the region's cultural heritage.
Inside the museum, 61 handwritten volumes from the original library are on display. Among these are four autographs of Saint James containing sermons and homilies, as well as personal correspondence to San Giovanni da Capestrano, another significant Franciscan. Additionally, the collection includes works on Roman history, classical literature, Italian and Christian literature. Some manuscripts still bear the notes of San Giacomo, documenting the origin, price, and destination of the books. The museum also houses two ancient maps of Monteprandone and a coin minted in 1652 by Carlo II Gonzaga-Nevers to celebrate the birth of Ferdinando Carlo, the son of Carlo II and Clara d'Asburgo. This coin commemorates the couple's prayers to the then blessed James, who was highly revered in Mantua and is now the co-patron of the city.
The museum is located in the historic center of Monteprandone and is a significant place for the preservation and promotion of the region's cultural heritage. It offers visitors the opportunity to delve into the history and intellectual legacy of Saint James of the Marches and to understand the significance of his library for the local and religious culture.
