Blockchain
The Vatican Library embraces blockchain to preserve manuscripts and engage donors
The Vatican Library has partnered with NTT DATA Italia to use blockchain technology to preserve its vast collection of manuscripts.
Announced on June 17, the “Vatican Library Web3 Support Project” aims to expand the library’s online community and engage supporters through modern technology.
The Vatican Library, which preserves approximately 180,000 manuscripts and over 1.5 million printed books, will distribute non-fungible tokens (NFT) to donors and social media users. This experimental project is currently limited to Italian residents. However, a trial phase was initially launched in Japan in February 2023.
Those who shared the NFT design on their social media accounts by July 16 received a “silver NFT.” This NFT gave them access to a special collection of high-resolution images of 15 manuscripts.
Those who financially support the project will receive a “Gold NFT,” which will give them access to high-resolution images of all 21 manuscripts in the collection.
To date, 419 users have received Polygon-based NFTs, according to a Offshore proof-of-concept, showing the usefulness of blockchain technology in safeguarding cultural heritage. These NFTs are soul-bound, meaning they are non-transferable and permanently linked to the recipient’s digital wallet.
Future applications
The Vatican Library, one of the oldest and most significant repositories of historical texts, dates back to the 14th century (the Catholic Church has maintained a library and archive since the 14th century).
This web3 The project aims to further the library’s mission of making ancient documents more accessible to the public.
In 2020, the Vatican Library launched a new website with improved search functions and easier access to digital reproductions of manuscripts, inventories and archival materials, among others. The campaign aims to preserve cultural heritage, with future plans potentially including immersive extended reality (XR) experiences, such as augmented or virtual reality.
NTT DATA Italia has been collaborating with the Vatican Library since then 2014, using its AMLAD digital archive service, which includes more than 2 million assets, to preserve historical documents. The company has invested billions of dollars in web3 infrastructure and will also launch a crypto wallet later this year, reinforcing its commitment to the digital future.