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, home to around 180,000 manuscripts and over 1.5 million printed books, will distribute non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to donors and social media users. Currently, this experimental project is limited to Italian residents, following a trial phase launched in Japan in February 2023.
Those who shared the NFT project on social media by July 16 received a “Silver NFT,” granting access to a special collection of high-resolution images of 15 manuscripts. Financial supporters receive a “Gold NFT,” providing access to all 21 high-resolution manuscript images. To date, 419 users have received Polygon-based NFTs, demonstrating blockchain’s utility in safeguarding cultural heritage. These NFTs are soulbound, meaning they are non-transferable and permanently linked to the recipient’s digital wallet.
This project builds on the Vatican Library’s 2020 launch of a new website with improved search functions and digital access to manuscripts. Future plans may include immersive extended reality (XR) experiences. NTT DATA Italia has collaborated with the Vatican Library since 2014, using its AMLAD service to preserve historic documents. The company is also set to launch a crypto wallet later this year.
This initiative is crucial for preserving cultural heritage and making ancient documents accessible to the public, illustrating a forward-thinking approach to digital preservation.
