helpForNav
Language: spacer Register spacer Login spacer
HOME LIBRARIESTreasures - National Library of San Marino



SAN MARINO
RETURN TO "LIBRARIES"
This page is maintained by Mrs. Laura Rossi
Discorsi nelli sei libri di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo
Matthioli, Pierandrea , Discorsi nelli sei libri di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo
Pierandrea Matthioli (1500-1577), formerly a famous physician, dedicated himself to botanic studies and became the most important phytologist of his times. With this commentary the author gave new prestige to Dioscoride’s famous “Materia Medica” (1st century A.C.). Besides translating the text, he clarified the most difficult passages and integrated it with the results of his long researches and accurate observations, giving medical studies a greater scientific rigour. He gathered and examined a great number of samples and hundreds of unknown medicinal plants, mentioning many of them for the first time and providing precise descriptions of their morphology and therapeutical applications. Thus Matthioli produced a real masterpiece and increased its value accluding magnificent illustrations artisticly engaved by Giorgio Liberale. The text was translated into many languages and used as the classic text-book for pharmacological studies for over two centuries. The page reproduced here shows one of the many precious water color figures from Matthioli’s naturalistic treatise.
Top of the page
Fragment of a Luxury lithurgical codex
Unknown, Fragment of a Luxury lithurgical codex
Fragment retrieved within the external covering of a 17th century legature, by the Restoration Laboratory of the National Library and Book Patrimony of the Republic of San Marino. Membranaceous, gothic writing, by one hand, in black and red ink, with large initial illuminated and decorated ( King David playing the cetra – neapolitan school ) and ornaments along the four margins with black and red filigree and polychrome floreal motives.
Top of the page
Concerti Spirituali
Marini, Francesco Maria , Concerti Spirituali
The Concerti Spirituali By Francesco Maria Marini di Pesaro witness the high quality of the music produced in San Marino in the seventeenth century. In fact the Concerti Spirituali are an example of beautiful music performed by stringed instruments and choirs in line with the musical tradition of the finest italian courts of the period. On August 1, 1637, F. M. Marini Maestro di Cappella in the Republic of San Marino addressed his 27 spiritual concerts to his “Distinguished and honourable Lords and Rulers Heads of State and Captains of the Republic of San Marino”. The Concerts are composed by five parts ( Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass and Bass organ ), only the Alto part is conserved in San Marino, the complete five books are in the Conservatory Library “Martini” in Bologna and in the Oxford Church Library. The page above shows the title page of the “Concerti Spirituali” with the reproduction of a blazon of the Republic of San Marino never published elsewhere.
Top of the page
Statuta Decreta ac Ordinamenta
Unknown, Statuta Decreta ac Ordinamenta Illustris Reipublicae ac Perpetuae Libertatis Terrae Sancti Marini
The 'Local Foundation', at the National Library and Book Patrimony of the Republic of San Marino, is of great importance in that it represents one of the strongest sources of evidence for the Republic of San Marino’s existence and history. The first collection of San Marino’s statutes that we have proof of are dated 1295. New dispositions and reforms followed later in 1317, 1353, 1491 and in the second half of the 16th century. The 'Statuta Decreta ac Ordinamenta Illustris Reipublicae ac Perpetua Libertatis Terrae Sancti Marini', dated 1600, are a re-elaboration of all the previous statutory materials, extended and systematically arranged in their definitive form, that regulated the State’s existence in each of it’s aspects. Such a prominent legislative work was able to resist the passing of time. In fact, after three centuries, these statutes, with the appropriate modifications made necessary by various changes in historical situations, are still in force in San Marino. Reproduced here is the title page of the 'Statutes' with the image of Saint Marino holding the three towers, the symbol of the territory of the ancient Republic.
Top of the page
Exhibition Space
The European Library Exhibition

Discover the exhibitions held in the great national libraries of Europe through a single access point. Still on display: Napoleonic wars, unique buildings and magnificent treasures.