Rare Gospel of Mark fragment leaves Prague for Italy to reunite with surviving manuscript parts after nearly 700 years
A rare fragment containing part of the Gospel of Saint Mark has left Prague for the first time in almost 700 years. Brought to the Czech lands by Charles IV, the fragment has now returned to Italy, where it will be reunited with the other surviving parts of the manuscript.
The manuscript, known as the Forojulian Gospels, was probably written near Ravenna in the first half of the sixth century. It originally contained the complete texts of all four Gospels and later made its way to what is now the Italian region of Friuli.
The part containing the Gospel of Mark was eventually removed from the manuscript because it was venerated as the actual writing of the evangelist Mark. However, modern research has since ruled out that attribution.
Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, acquired several leaves during his journey to Italy in 1354 and 1355. Lenka Kluková, an archivist at Prague Castle, explains how the fragment came to Prague:
“On his journey to Rome for his imperial coronation, he stopped in Aquileia, where he visited his half-brother Nicholas, who was the patriarch of Aquileia at the time. He came out to meet him with this Gospel being carried in a procession.”
Part of the Gospel of Mark is written on very fine parchment, which requires carefully controlled temperature and humidity. It was transported in special Rimowa cases, normally used for photographic equipment in tropical rainforests, which can maintain the climate required for such precious items.
In addition, a special double-layered transport box was used to protect the fragment from shocks during the journey. Kluková explains how it works:
“These crates are brought in, opened and left to adjust to the climate in the repository. The case is placed inside one crate, and that crate is placed inside another. This ensures that the manuscript is not subjected to any unnecessary shocks during transport.”
The surviving pages of Mark’s Gospel are divided between St Vitus Cathedral in Prague and the treasury of St Mark’s Basilica in Venice.
The main part of the original manuscript, which no longer contains the Gospel of Mark, is kept in the National Archaeological Museum in Cividale del Friuli, says exhibition curator Martina Dlabajová.
“All the fragments will be reunited for the first time in 700 years in Aquileia, where the history of all the individual parts began. According to legend, this is where the entire manuscript originated.”
The Prague Archbishopric has given its patronage to the exhibition, says its spokesman Pavel Schrötter.
“This is a unique project that reminds us that manuscripts are not merely precious objects kept in archives and libraries. They are the voice of generations who passed on their knowledge and faith to us, and evidence of our Christian roots.”
The exhibition opens on Saturday, September 12, and runs until April 25 next year.
