Book of Kells

Early MedievalLatin
OriginIona or Kells, Ireland
Language or scriptLatin
Holding institutionTrinity College Dublin

Overview

The supreme masterpiece of Western calligraphy, an illuminated gospel book made around 800 by monks of Iona or Kells. Its dense pages of spirals, knots, animals, and angels culminate in the full page Chi Rho. Kept at Trinity College since the 17th century, it draws nearly a million visitors a year.

Related Manuscripts