Featuring 680 pages of lavishly colored and decorated lettering and illustrations,
it is the most elaborate manuscript of its kind to survive from the early Middle Ages. About thirty folios (60 pages) got lost. The book consists of a Latin text of the four Gospels. It was not intended for daily use or study. It is a sacred work of art to appear on the altar on special occasions.

Since 1661 the Book of Kells is being kept in the Old Library (http://www.tcd.ie/Library/oldlib.htm) of the Trinity College in Dublin. The fact that the preservation of medieval manuscripts requires strict conservation measures was not understood in the 19th century and the book suffered from more than only the ravages of time. It suffered, for example, when it was improperly rebound. Even the binder did not recognize that some of the pages varied in size. He cut off some of the gorgeous illumination in order to standardize the size.

Since 1953 the book is displayed under strictly controlled conditions. The pages are turned once every two weeks. In 2002 about 250.000 people visited the Book of Kells.

Facsimile Reproductions

The Faksimile Verlag from Lucerne, Switzerland made an excellent facsimile. It is as close to the original as technically possible. Even the wormholes were cut out exactly of every reproduction.

You can buy this outstanding work at faksimile.ch. The price is 21’500 Swiss Francs (about 14’000 US$).