Ecclesiastical and State Archives
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2.5 - Ecclesiastical and State Archives
2.5.1 - Documents preserved in the Vatican archives
The Vatican Apostolic Archive contains numerous papal bulls attesting to the importance of sanctuaries dedicated to St Michael the Archangel. These official documents, issued by the popes, concern the foundation, consecration, indulgences and protection of the Michaelic places of worship. For example, the bull of Pope Gelasius I (492-496) mentions the consecration of the grotto of Monte Sant'Angelo, recognising it as a sacred place for the cult of the Archangel.
Acts of worship, granting of indulgences
The Vatican archives also hold documents related to the cult of St. Michael, such as concessions of indulgences to pilgrims who visited Michael's shrines. These documents testify to the spread and importance of the cult of the Archangel over the centuries, as well as the Church's attention in promoting his veneration.
Correspondence and official acts relating to worship
Correspondence between the popes and local bishops, preserved in the Vatican archives, provides valuable information on the management and organisation of the Michaelic shrines. For example, papal letters
addressed to the bishops of Siponto and Potenza in the 5th century discuss issues related to the cult of St Michael and its spread in southern Italy.
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• Papal bull issued by Pope Pius IX in 1862
Example of an official document preserved in the Vatican archives.
• Historical documents of St Michael's Basilica
Exhibition of historical documents related to the Micael cult.
Exhibition of Papal Bulls from the Vatican Secret Archives.
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Sources and references
• Vatican Apostolic Archive - Home PageVatican Apostolic Archive+1Vatican Apostolic Archive+1
• Basilicata Council - St. Michael CouncilArchangelBasilicata Regional
2.5.2 - Diocesan and parish archives
• Baptismal, marriage and mortuary registers with reference to St Michael
Parish archives preserve sacramental registers documenting the religious life of communities. For instance, the parish archive of Aci Sant'Antonio keeps a register of the dead dating back to 1624, which mentions burials that took place in the Oratory of Saint Michael Archangel .
Inventories of churches dedicated to the Archangel
The inventories of the churches dedicated to St Michael Archangel provide details on sacred furnishings, works of art and liturgical documents. The historical archive of the parish of San Michele all'Adige, for example, has been reorganised and inventoried, making valuable information on the local ecclesiastical heritage accessible.
Confraternal archives and local religious statutes
The confraternities dedicated to St. Michael have left a wealth of documentation, including statutes and activity registers. A significant example is the Compagnia di San Michele Arcangelo, active between the 16th and 18th centuries, whose documentation is preserved and studied to understand the religious and social practices of the time .
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• Parish archives of San Michele Arcangelo and Madonna del Carmine (Ponteranica)
Exterior view of the building housing the parish archive.
• Parish archives of San Michele Arcangelo (Leffe)
Church façade housing the parish archives.
Example of a register used to document sacraments and other religious events.
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Sources and references
2.5.3 - Archives of Michaelic shrines
Internal documents of the main sanctuaries (Monte Sant'Angelo, Mont-Saint-Michel)
Monte Sant'Angelo (Italy)
The Sanctuary of St Michael Archangel in Monte Sant'Angelo preserves a rich documentary heritage that testifies to its long history. Among the most important documents are the wall inscriptions, collected and published by C. Carletti, which provide valuable information on the devotion and religious practices of pilgrims over the centuries.
Mont-Saint-Michel (France)
The Cartulary of Mont-Saint-Michel is a collection of illuminated manuscripts documenting the abbey's properties and privileges. Compiled from the 12th century onwards, it also contains narratives
as the 'Revelatio', which describes the apparition of Saint Michael to Saint Aubert. The cartulary is currently kept at the Bibliothèque Intercommunale in Avranches.
Collections of votive offerings, donations, restorations
The Museum of the Basilica of St Michael Archangel in Monte Sant'Angelo houses a vast collection of votive offerings, liturgical objects and sacred vestments donated over the centuries by pilgrims, popes, emperors and bishops. Among the most significant pieces are a 6th-7th century Byzantine icon and a 13th century devotional cross donated by Frederick II of Swabia.
Books of miracles and diaries of apparitions
Michaelic shrines often collected testimonies of miracles and apparitions attributed to St Michael. These documents, known as 'miracle books', were compiled to record extraordinary events and strengthen popular devotion. At Mont-Saint-Michel, for example, the cartulary includes narratives of visions and miracles that helped consolidate the sanctuary's prestige.
Recommended multimedia content
Images
• Façade of the Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo in Monte Sant'Angelo
• Ex voto dedicated to St Michael
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Sources and references
• Cartulary of Mont-Saint-Michel. Wikipedia. Wikipedia
• Museum of the Basilica of St Michael Archangel. Wikipedia. Wikipedia
2.5.4 - State and notarial archives
• Wills and bequests to Michaelic churches
Italian notarial archives preserve numerous wills and bequests attesting to devotion to Saint Michael the Archangel. For instance, the 'Catalogue of Wills of Great Italians' published by the National Council of Notaries collects documents showing donations to churches and confraternities dedicated to the Archangel.
Public acts relating to foundations, confraternities and processions
State archives preserve public records concerning the foundation of confraternities and the organisation of processions in honour of Saint Michael. For instance, the State Archives in Rome preserve documents of the Holy Trinity and St. Michael confraternities, which provide valuable information on the religious and social practices related to the cult of St. Michael.
State intervention in the management of sacred heritage
The Italian State has taken significant steps to protect and enhance the sacred heritage dedicated to Saint Michael. For example, the Decree of the Minister of Culture of 7 March 2024 provides funding for the restoration and securing of the Castle of San Michele on Colle Sant'Angelo in Volturara Irpina (AV).
Recommended multimedia content
Images
• Exhibition of documents at the Trani State Archives
• Signa et Insignia - History, Notariat and Notarial Archives in Italy
• Notary Archives of Pordenone
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Sources and references
• Catalogue of Wills of Great Italians - National Council of Notaries.
• State Archives of Rome - Documentation on confraternities.
• Decree of the Minister of Culture of 7 March 2024 - Restoration work for the Castle of San Michele.
2.5.5 - Digitisation and accessibility of sources
Portals and digitisation projects BeWeB - Ecclesiastical Heritage on the Web
BeWeB is the official portal of the Italian Bishops' Conference (CEI) dedicated to the cataloguing and enhancement of the ecclesiastical cultural heritage. Through the CEI-Ar project, launched in 2004, it supports the description, reorganisation and computerised inventorying of historical ecclesiastical archives, promoting the preservation and use of the documentary heritage.
SIUSA - Unified Information System for Archival Superintendencies
SIUSA is an information system that describes the public and private archival heritage preserved outside the Italian State Archives. It offers a primary access point for the consultation and research of archival fonds, producers and conservators, research tools and bibliographical .
Cultural Internet
Internet Culturale is a portal providing access to catalogues and digital collections of Italian libraries. It offers a wide range of digital resources, including manuscripts, books, sheet music, maps, images and sound recordings.
Public access to ecclesiastical and civil sources
The accessibility of archival sources is crucial for historical research. Portals such as BeWeB and SIUSA offer advanced consultation tools, allowing users to explore documents, archival fonds and document aggregations from numerous ecclesiastical and civil archives throughout Italy.
Searchable databases for historical research
The databases available through these portals enable in-depth research on various aspects of ecclesiastical and civil history. For instance, BeWeB offers thematic paths and in-depth studies on historical figures, religious events and local traditions, while SIUSA provides detailed descriptions of archival complexes and producer subjects.
Recommended multimedia content
Images
• Church archives digitisation project in San Mango D'Aquino
• Local history course on civil and ecclesiastical archival sources in Torremaggiore
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Sources and references
• BeWeB BeWeB- Ecclesiastical Heritage in Web
• SIUSA - Unified Information System for Archival Superintendencies SIUSA
• Cultural Internet - Catalogues and digital collections of Italian libraries Cultural Internet