The Austrian National Library houses an extraordinary 16th-century manuscript, considered one of the rarest literary curiosities.

This miniature masterpiece contains Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy" in Italian in an incredibly small format.

The book is so small that the writing is barely legible to the naked eye. The pages measure just 24 x 15 mm and the entire block of the book is only 18 mm thick. It is considered the smallest manuscript in the library's collection.

The font consists of 11 lines per page in an incredibly filigree calligraphy, probably made with a magnifying glass.

In addition, the book is decorated with around 30 extremely fine pen and ink drawings, as precise and artistic as the writing itself. These drawings give the work an artistic depth that goes far beyond the mere reproduction of the text.

This unique manuscript is not only a technical marvel, but also a testament to the extraordinary skill and dedication of the writing craft of the time. It is a testament to the veneration that Dante and his “Divine Comedy” have held for centuries.

These works are not only cultural treasures, but also a reminder of the possibilities of human art and dedication, even on the smallest scale.