The Fundación San Millán de la Cogolla and the Fundación Iberdrola España have renewed their collaboration agreement that will allow them to continue with the recovery of part of the collections of the Library of the Monastery of Yuso.

Seven codices from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries that require urgent intervention due to their value and delicate state of conservation will be restored. Of particular note is the restoration of such unique codices as ERASMUS of Rotterdam: Novum Testamentum (Greek, Vulgate and Erasmus’ edition).

Through this new agreement, which will be in force until the end of 2021. The Fundación Iberdrola España will contribute 15,000 euros to collaborate in the work that the Fundación San Millán de la Cogolla has been carrying out since the end of 2003 to recover the documentary collections of one of the most important monastic libraries in the Hispanic world, that of the Monastery of Yuso, a cultural asset that needs to be cared for and protected.

Since the Fundación San Millán de la Cogolla began the enormous task of recovering the library in 2003, nearly 400 volumes have already been restored. After receiving the agreement of the Augustinian Fathers, owners of the Library, and of the Commission of Artistic-Historical Heritage of La Rioja, with this new agreement of the Fundación Iberdrola España, seven codices of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries that require urgent intervention due to their value and delicate state of conservation are going to be restored.

The selection of the set of codices has been made by Father Pedro Merino and Ana Jessen, in whose workshop the restoration will be carried out. The state of conservation is very varied; in general terms, the covers show damage resulting from loss of support due to use, poor handling, formatting, problems of dehydration of the leather and parchment, general dirt and stains of unknown origin. The paper also shows deterioration caused by use, such as general soiling, damp stains, losses, tears, deformations and attacks by bibliophagous insects.

The Fundación Iberdrola España has been collaborating with the Fundación San Millán de la Cogolla for several years, in which it has participated in the restoration of the grille of the High Altar of the Monastery of Yuso and in the refurbishment of the Exhibition Hall. Another collaboration agreement was also concluded for the interior and exterior lighting of the Monastery.