Scriptoria and Manuscript Culture

Scriptoria were special rooms in medieval monasteries where scribes meticulously copied manuscripts by hand. This practice was vital in preserving knowledge, as books were rare and precious before the invention of the printing press. Manuscript culture refers to the society and practices surrounding these handwritten texts, including their creation, illumination (decorative art), and dissemination. Through scriptoria, religious and classical works were transmitted across generations, playing a crucial role in education and literacy in the Middle Ages. This culture laid the groundwork for the spread of ideas and the eventual rise of the Renaissance.