When we were at the Laurentian Library adjoining San Lorenzo, we just happened to catch a special exhibit
of rare manuscripts and hand written codices dating from the 3rd to the 19th centuries,
many from the original Medici collections.
These materials were the foundation of the Library, and are considered the most important and prestigious collection of antique books in Italy.
The Library comprises a lasting cultural inheritance which the Medici family created and passed on to be used and admired by future generations.

The collection had its origins in the humanist interests of Cosimo the Elder di Medici, who collected the works of classical authors.
Cosimo the Elder 's collection was enhanced by the Greek texts collected by his grandson Lorenzo di Medici... known as "Lorenzo the Magnificent".
Lorenzo employed scholars who sought out original documents from antiquity and brought them into the collection being accumulated by the Medici.
It is these manuscripts and codices that are archived in the Laurentian LIbrary for posterity and used for research by scholars.
From time to time, some of these precious documents are displayed for the public to enjoy in a secured environment.