A journalist looked through a detailed reproduction of the 15th-century Borso D’Este Bible during its unveiling at the Italian Senate in Rome on November 13, 2025, as part of the Vatican’s Holy Year celebrations. AP Photo
One of the world’s most treasured Renaissance manuscripts is drawing crowds in Rome. The 15th-century Borso D’Este Bible, famous for its bright colours and intricate gold details, is now on limited public display for the Vatican’s Holy Year celebrations. The showcase offers a rare chance to see a work often praised as a jewel of Italian art.
A Rare Appearance
The bible appeared Thursday inside the Italian Senate, where it will remain until January 16. The two-volume work usually stays locked in a secure vault in Modena. It rarely leaves its home. Its trip to Rome involved tight security. Workers unloaded two large red crates from an unmarked van as cameras followed every step.
The book dazzles with miniature paintings made from gold and Afghan lapis lazuli. It dates back to between 1455 and 1461. The calligrapher Pietro Paolo Marone and illustrators Taddeo Crivelli and Franco dei Russi created the manuscript. Italy’s Culture Ministry describes it as a masterpiece that brings together faith, history, rare materials, and unmatched skill.
Safe Viewing for Crowds
The bible will sit behind protective glass during its stay in Rome. Because each page is delicate, visitors cannot turn the leaves. Instead, they can explore digital versions. Touch screens show every detail through ultra-high-resolution images. This gives visitors a chance to enjoy the artwork without risk of damage.
Alessandra Necci, director of Gallerie Estense in Modena, called the work the “Mona Lisa of illuminated manuscripts.” She said its beauty and spiritual meaning earned it that comparison.
A Message of Beauty and Faith
Archbishop Rino Fisichella, who oversees the Vatican’s Jubilee events, said he hopes the exhibit encourages people to think more deeply about the sacred text. He said the beauty of the manuscript acts as a “provocation” that invites reflection on both the artwork and the message of the Bible itself. He encouraged visitors to return home and open their own bibles after seeing the splendour of the Borso D’Este version.
The exhibit brings together art lovers, historians, and worshippers. Many see it as a highlight of the Holy Year celebrations. The Borso D’Este Bible offers a reminder of how artists once brought scripture to life with careful brushwork, precious pigments, and hours of devotion.
As crowds gather around the glass case, the centuries-old manuscript continues to inspire wonder. Its journey from a Modena vault to the Italian Senate marks a rare moment when one of the Renaissance’s finest creations meets the public once again.
