Overview:

, The Vatican Apostolic Archive in Vatican City is an archive of documents created in the Vatican City State. The archive holds the historical records and acts of the Holy See, which includes the Pope, the College of Cardinals, and the Roman Curia. The Vatican Apostolic Archive is the oldest archive in the world and holds documents dating back to the 8th century. The archive is divided into two major collections. The Archivum Secretum Apostolicum Vaticanum, also known as the Secret Archive, contains documents and correspondence of the Popes from the 8th century to the present day. The Registers and Chancellery Archive, also known as the Archive of the Acts of the Vatican City State, holds documents and correspondence relating to the Vatican City State. The collection includes documents of canon law, international law, and governmental, administrative, and financial documents. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Vatican-City
Prominent Features:

1. The Vatican Apostolic Archive is the central repository of over 75 miles of documents related to the activities of the Catholic Church since the 8th century. 2. This archive was created in 1611 and holds historic documents including papal bulls, letters sent between the Church and its many branches, and records of ecclesiastical trials. 3. It is the one of the oldest and largest archival collections in the world. 4. It is one of the most visited spots in Vatican City, attracting many scholars and researches from around the world. 5. It is also the home to many ancient manuscripts and codices, such as the famous Codex Vaticanus, as well as the earliest German translation of the Bible which dates to the mid 15th century. 6. The archive is cared for by a group of scholars who work to transcribe and organise the documents. 7. In 2018, Pope Francis authorized the opening of the archive to the public and also established a council to oversee it and ensure its transparency. 8. It is also a major tourist attraction, with visitors eager to uncover its secrets and explore its fascinating role in history. This national monument of Vatican-City portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Vatican Apostolic Archive (or Archivum Apostolicum Vaticanum, AAV) is one of the oldest governmental archives in the world, tracing its origins to at least the 8th century. The earliest documents housed in the archive date back to 816 and have since grown to encompass more than 55 miles of shelving, 3900 repositories, and more than 75,000 volumes. The archive was established by Pope Gregory VII in 1087, with the records of the papacy held in the Lateran Palace being transferred to the new archive. The documents in this archive were collected for centuries by papal secretaries and were organized into volumes in 1612, when Pope Paul V had a library built to house the documents. The archive was moved to its present site in Vatican City in 1939. Currently, the archive is home to nearly 8 miles of shelving and contains over 35 miles of documents, books, and manuscripts. It is divided into several collections including the collection of the registers of the popes from the 8th century, the collection of the house of the Farnese, and the correspondence of the cardinals and many political leaders. The archive is not open to the public. However, researchers can submit applications to study the archives. The archive is also home to a digitized project, especially the sections relating to correspondence, which makes the content of the archive available to the public. Since its establishment, the Vatican Apostolic Archive has served as an important repository of the papacy’s history and traditions, and a source of knowledge and scholarship. You must visit one of these historical places in Vatican-City on your Vatican-City tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Vatican Apostolic Archive, also known as the Secret Archives of the Vatican, holds one of the oldest and most valuable archives in the world. 2. Established in 1844, the archives house manuscripts, books, papal documents, state papers and the private correspondence of hundreds of pontiffs. 3. The library and archives of the Vatican together hold over 1 million manuscripts and numerous rare books. 4. Notable documents in the archive include the papers relating to the trial of Galileo and the Lateran Treaties of 1929. 5. The archives are also home to papal bulls throughout the centuries, including the earliest papal letters in existence. 6. The archives are open to researchers with special permission from the Vatican. 7. Access to certain documents, such as those dealing with sensitive political matters, is highly restricted and may take up to five years to be granted. Visit one of the famous monuments of Vatican-City with your friends and family.