2nd Verona International Summer School in Medieval Manuscripts

The Verona International Summer School in Medieval Manuscripts offers an intensive course in writing culture from Late Antiquity to the Middle Ages (415-1500). Due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak, the 2020 edition is offered only via a digital platform (Moodle).

The Summer School provides an overview of the main elements of Latin palaeography, showing the evolution of letter forms and most common abbreviation systems; the course consists of practical exercises, reading and transcribing several different types of script. It is also open to students with some experience in Latin and Greek palaeography, who wish to refresh or improve their skills. Participants must have elementary Latin in order to benefit from lectures; when applying, they should indicate whether they had any previous experience in palaeography.

This course will last for five days and lectures will be both recorded and live streamed by experts in their respective fields, working at the University of Verona – Department of Cultures and Civilizations, and at a wide range of other institutions. Subject areas include Latin, Gothic, Greek and Early Modern Italian palaeography, illuminated manuscripts, codicology, liturgical and devotional manuscripts. Most of the morning lectures will be offered as pre-recorded talks, exploring the outstanding original Late Antique and Medieval writing materials preserved at the Biblioteca Capitolare, the «Queen of all Late Antique and Medieval Libraries», according to E.A. Lowe. In the afternoons, recorded lectures will take turns with live Zoom meetings hosted by our lecturers in order to:
– offer practical sessions on manuscripts and charters;
– get specific insights through topics discussed during the morning sessions;
– answer participants’ questions.

The course also provides training for historians, archaeologists and textual scholars in the discipline of reading and interpreting medieval graffiti and epigraphic evidence, analysed in their original context. The importance of understanding graffiti and inscriptions within their archaeological and topographical contexts will be explored during virtual site visits to S. Giorgio/S. Elena, S. Zeno and S. Maria in Stelle. These virtual visits will be led by experts in Medieval Archaeology, Art and Architecture History.

Contact us:
Massimiliano Bassetti
Marco Stoffella