Huge 1000-year-old Bible: A cultural treasure returns to Echternach!

Huge 1000-year-old Bible: A cultural treasure returns to Echternach!

The Scientific Library of the City of Trier has completed the digitization of an impressive Maximin Giant Bible. This parchment manuscript dates from the 11th century, weighs around 18 kilograms and measures 80 cm wide and 55 cm high when opened. The monumentality of this Bible is so remarkable that the Luxembourg National Library asked for assistance as it did not have a suitable scanner for the large and delicate work. The digitization took place in Trier and was carried out within four weeks by the photographer Anja Runkel. According to Volksfreund, this is the only giant Bible that is currently in private hands abroad and came from private ownership after its acquisition by the Luxembourg National Library last year.

Over the course of its more than 1,000-year history, the giant Bible has had various owners and, after the dissolution of the Echternach monastery during the French Revolution, it ended up in private hands, most recently in a Swiss collection. Dr. Claude D. Conter and Professor Dr. Luc Deitz underline the high cultural and historical value of the giant Bible as a common heritage of the greater region. Trier's head of cultural affairs, Markus Nöhl, emphasizes the importance of cross-border cooperation with Luxembourg, which is particularly demonstrated here.

An important cultural heritage

The giant Bible, also known as the “Bible Géante”, is considered a masterpiece of medieval graphics and is in remarkable condition. The skins of 230 calves were needed to make the parchment sheets. The origins of the Bible go back to the end of the 11th century, and it was supplemented in the 16th century in the Abbey of St. Maximin in Trier. Particularly noteworthy are the ornate red initials and two magnificent frontispiece pages, which are reminiscent of masterpieces such as the Codex Aureus from the Echternach Scriptorium. The abbey was once one of the most important centers of writing and art in Europe, independent of other princes and subject only to the emperor.

The Maximin Giant Bible will be on public display in the Echternach basilica on the occasion of the Echternach jumping procession from June 6th to 10th, 2025. This period coincides with the Pentecost celebrations, making the presentation a special event. The basilica will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours during masses.

Shared heritage and culture

The digitization of the giant Bible is part of a larger goal to bring the Bible back to Luxembourg and preserve it for the long term. The digital version will be available on the Luxembourg National Library website in the future. The municipality of Echternach would like to thank the [Bibliothèque Nationale de Luxembourg](https://echternach.lu/ exhibition-der-riesenbibel-in-echternach/) for their collaboration in presenting the manuscript. This moment is considered historic for the city of Echternach and highlights the abbey's important role as a cultural and spiritual center of Europe.