The John Rylands Research Institute and Library holds one of the most important collections of Dante’s work in the world. Join us on one of our upcoming tours (30 September, 1 October) to experience the enduring power of a literary classic.

Since Dante’s death in 1321, his major literary work, the Divine Comedy, has been translated into many world languages and adapted into film, music and visual art. The John Rylands Research Institute and Library is home to one of the richest Divine Comedy collections in the world, holding all but three of the editions of the work published in Italy before 1629.

Some of the most significant items from the collection are now on display at the Rylands as part of our exhibition ‘Designing Dante’. Since the opening day of the exhibition, 24 March 2022, nearly 95,000 UK and international visitors have come to the Rylands and seen the highlights of our Dante collection, including the 1472 edition of the Divine Comedy, the first edition of the work ever produced since the early days of European print.

For the final days of the exhibition, we are planning a series of guided tours led by the curator, Dr Guyda Armstrong. All are welcome to attend and no previous knowledge of the Divine Comedy is needed. You are also invited to bring your own headphones and experience the ‘Inferno Sound Trail’, a soundtrack to Dante’s journey through Hell composed by Cities and Memory.

• Curious? Find out more about the exhibition here.
• Book your place on one of the tours:
  • Friday, 30 September, 2pm
  • Saturday, 1 October, 3pm