The Revealed Library: The Fantastic Bestiary at Museo di San Marco

The Revealed Library: The Fantastic Bestiary

From 11 April 2026 the Museo di San Marco in Florence opens the exhibition-dossier "The Revealed Library: The Fantastic Bestiary", dedicated to illuminated manuscripts preserved in the historic library designed by Michelozzo.

Organized by the Regional Directorate for National Museums of Tuscany and scientifically coordinated by Marco Mozzo, the exhibition offers a thematic reading of the museum’s book collection: manuscripts from the 13th to the 16th century that trace the development of zoomorphic decoration and its symbolic meanings.

The route highlights how dragons, basilisks, unicorns and other real or imagined creatures conveyed ideas of evil, purity, resurrection or power, displaying the codices in relation to the spaces for which they were created.

• Opening date: 11 April 2026
• Venue: Museo di San Marco, Florence
• Scientific coordination: Marco Mozzo
• Curators: Sara Fabbri, Sara Ragazzini, Anna Soffici
• Focus: selection of illuminated manuscripts (13th–16th centuries) centered on bestiary iconography

This exhibition forms part of a broader museological update including re-displays and targeted interventions to improve access and understanding of the library holdings. Highlights include Michelozzo’s library room, the Sala Greca with rotating medieval choir books, and the exhibition’s connections with the Beato Angelico frescoed cells.

Visitor tips: check museum opening times and access rules on the official site, allow time to read labels and manuscript displays, and explore the show’s interpretive materials on zoomorphic symbolism.