The Vatican Apostolic Library is using NFTs to engage supporters and preserve its manuscripts, partnering with NTT DATA Italia.
What’s the significance: This project combines preserving cultural heritage with digital innovation, using NFTs to involve the community and provide access to historical manuscripts, Decrypt and Catholic News Agency reported.
How it works:
- Sharing the “Web3 Support Project” earns users Silver NFTs, which unlock 15 manuscripts.
- Donors receive Gold NFTs, giving access to 21 manuscripts.
- These NFTs are non-transferable and permanently linked to a wallet. It’s a type of NFT called Soulbound Tokens.
Key statistics: The Vatican Library holds:
- 180,000 manuscripts
- 1,600,000 printed books
- 9,000 incunabula (early printed books)
- Over 300,000 coins and medals
- 150,000+ prints, drawings, and engravings
- 200,000+ photographs
Only manuscripts will be made into NFTs.
Still, the project is currently experimental and only available to Italian donors.
Key quote:
“The project aims to expand the online community of the Vatican Apostolic Library by connecting the cultural institution with its supporters through web3 technology.”
Vatican Library
Father Mauro Mantovani, prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Library, also stressed the importance of preserving heritage and highlighted NTT DATA’s help in making the library’s collections accessible and supporting research.
What’s next: The library may create immersive experiences in the future to view historic assets through extended reality.
[Read more: Former Pastor Launches ‘Project Ophir Crypto’ to Support Churches]
This article is published on BitPinas: Vatican Library Launches NFT Project for Manuscript Preservation
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