Theme Weekend "Feather and Color" – The Art of Writing and Painting in the Middle Ages

In the early Middle Ages, writing was not only a means of communication – writing and painting were also highly regarded arts. Monks preserved and duplicated knowledge by painstakingly creating books from parchment, which is specially treated animal skin, and elaborately writing and designing them by hand. This took place in the scriptoria, the writing rooms of the monasteries. They were not only places of scholarship but also workshops where simple texts were transformed into magnificent works through intricate decorations. The St. Gall Monastery Plan, which serves as the basis for the construction of CAMPUS GALLI, also features a writing room. During this themed weekend, you can witness medieval book production at CAMPUS GALLI: Parchment production – See how animal skins are processed into sturdy parchment. Bookbinding – Watch how books were historically bound. Calligraphy – Be fascinated by the artistic execution of historical scripts. Book painting – A book painter demonstrates the elaborate design of manuscripts with vibrant colors and intricate initials. You can also immerse yourself in the world of medieval painting and writing and gain your own experiences: Try engraving the Carolingian minuscule onto a wax tablet or write it with a quill or reed pen and ink. Additionally, during this weekend, you can bind your own small book or create a bookmark with colorful ornaments.