The History of the Brest Bible
The Brest Bible was published in 1563 on the initiative of the Marshal and Chancellor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania — Prince of Nesvizh and Voivode of Vilnius, Nicholas Radziwiłł the Black. It is a Polish-language translation of the Holy Scripture, with a print run of over 500 copies. The best European artists and translators were invited to work on the publication. The edition became one of the most outstanding examples of Renaissance printing art and cost Radziwiłł 10,000 ducats.
Brest Bible — A Renaissance Masterpiece
In the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Brest Bible was considered one of the finest publications of the 16th century. Today, about 120 copies of this rare book have survived worldwide, but none have reached us in full. The Brest Regional Library holds part of the original — more than 100 pages of this unique folio.
Description of the Brest Bible Monument
The monument is a bronze sculpture in the form of an open book with an engraving of an illustration and the publication date of the Brest Bible. It stands on a stone pedestal. The author of the work, sculptor Anton Nichiporuk, described it as a symbol of the Enlightenment and Renaissance. A Wi-Fi hotspot is available near the monument, allowing visitors to learn more about the history of the Brest Bible.
The Monument as a Part of Brest’s Cultural Heritage
The ceremonial unveiling of the monument was attended by representatives of local authorities, cultural and educational institutions, and city residents. The chairman of the Brest City Executive Committee, Alexander Rogachuk, noted that the Brest Bible monument became an important part of the city's preparations for its 1,000th anniversary. It is a symbol of historical truth, the participation of the state and patrons, and an incentive for Brest residents to study the history of their city.
The Fate of the Brest Bible Today
Today, only 40 copies of the Brest Bible remain in the world, kept in major libraries such as the Russian National Library in St. Petersburg, the Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, the Jagiellonian University Library in Krakow, and the Central Scientific Library of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. In 2003, an edition of the Brest Bible was restored by Professor Wacław Walczak of the Jagiellonian University and patron Piotr Krolikowski, and it is now considered a rare artifact.
Returning the Unique Folio
Brest authorities are actively working to find and return the Brest Bible to its hometown. According to experts, its return will become a landmark event in the city’s cultural life. The cost of this folio today is about $50,000 — a modest sum for such a unique piece of history and art.
