Codex Egberti

It is believed the Codex was created for Egbert’s personal use when holding mass at the cathedral. As a book of pericopes, the Codex contained the excerpts from the gospels that were read at services throughout a church year. Egbert later gifted the Codex to the Basilica of St Paulinus, where it was used until well into the 18th century, before ending up at the city library. Today, it is kept there in the ‘treasury’, attesting to Egbert’s tremendous patronage of illumination at the time. So he more than earned his place in the history books!

Until July 2024, the Codex Egberti is on loan as part of the Baden-Württemberg state exhibition in Constance and is not on display in the original treasure chamber.  From mid-August, interested parties can once again admire the codex in the Trier Treasury.
However, the World Documentary Heritage "Ada Gospels" is not affected by this and remains on display.

A must for: Bible enthusiasts. Bookworms. Gold-leaf lovers. Middle Ages fans and people who prefer writing important things by hand.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: 100%
Wow effect: 80%
Shiny gold: 20%


PSSSST! THE INSIDER TIP:
Egbert’s Midas touch when it came to patronage of the arts was also evident in goldsmithing. From 977 onwards, the Egbert Workshop named after him produced some of the most famous pieces of the Ottonian age. One of its main works can today be admired in the cathedral’s treasury: St Andrew’s Portable Altar, with an almost life-size golden food on its lid. This is in reference to the sandal of Andrew the Apostle, whose sole is situated in a box-shaped reliquary. Studded with precious stones, ivory, peals and enamel, the portable altar is a dazzling masterpiece not to be missed – as is the elaborate cross reliquary, also created under Egbert’s auspices.