The Library of the Heidelberg University finished digitalizing 848 German language handwritings. With this one of the most precious collections of German language Medieval and modern-times handwritings are now available in Internet.

All 848 Codices Palatini Germanici of the former Bibliotheca Palatina of the Electors of the Palatinate with 270 000 pages and app. 7000 miniatures were prepared for online use. This guarantees the Heidelberg University Library a worldwide top position in the field of digitalizing handwritings. This procedure was financed by the Manfred-Lautenschlaeger Foundation.

Now insight is possible for everybody while the precious originals remain in the air-conditioned vaults. The total of 7000 miniatures have been scientifically prepared and taken into the HeidiCON electronic picture collection.

The origin of the Bibliotheca Palatina goes back to the foundation of the Heidelberg University in 1386. The German language handwritings are nowadays in possession of the Heidelberg University Library while all Greek and Latin handwritings and all printings are in custody of the Bibliotheca Apostolica Vaticana in Rome. The richest European private collection of books of the Electors of the Palatinate, which already during the late Medieval were stored in the Church of the Holy Ghost in Heidelberg for public use, named Bibliotheca Palatina, was abducted to Rome during the 30-years war as captured war material. Since then those precious books are hidden behind impenetrable walls.

http://palatina-digital.uni-hd.de