Archivio "segreto"
Item
Country
IT
Name of institution (English)
Historical Archive of the Patriarchate of Venice
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
ita
Contact information: postal address
Dorsoduro 1, 30123 Venice
Contact information: phone number
0039 0412743917
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
archiviostorico@patriarcatovenezia.it
Reference number
Archivio "segreto"
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (English)
Secret Archive
Title (official language of the state)
Archivio "segreto"
Language of title
ita
Creator / accumulator
Curia patriarcale di Venezia
Date(s)
1318/1935
Language(s)
lat
Extent
469 storage units
Type of material
Textual Material
Scope and content
The Archivio "segreto" fonds comprises documentation related to four mains topics: 1) clergy: appointments, sacramental ordinations, personal information, etc.; 2) matters of ecclesiastical justice: references to cases that were probably sent to or received from the Inquisition; 3) activity of the Tribunale ecclesiastico (Ecclesiastic court); and 4) documentation related to cases of beatification of saints.
The Ecclesiastic courts were often involved in cases related to the Jewish communities. Sometimes, judicial processes were initiated in the diocesan institutions to be later transferred to the Inquisition, in the case of matters under the special jurisdiction of this court. Therefore, the document series Criminalia Sanctae Inquisitionis (Criminal, Holy Inquisition) and Israeliti e protestanti (Jews and Protestants) are of particular importance for the history of the Iberian Jews and Conversos in the Republic of Venice. Other series also contain evidence on this topic. The issue of the Jewish presence was often evoked in documents from the nuncio of Venice (Nunziatura veneta series) and in records of pastoral visits (Visite pastoral series).
The Ecclesiastic courts were often involved in cases related to the Jewish communities. Sometimes, judicial processes were initiated in the diocesan institutions to be later transferred to the Inquisition, in the case of matters under the special jurisdiction of this court. Therefore, the document series Criminalia Sanctae Inquisitionis (Criminal, Holy Inquisition) and Israeliti e protestanti (Jews and Protestants) are of particular importance for the history of the Iberian Jews and Conversos in the Republic of Venice. Other series also contain evidence on this topic. The issue of the Jewish presence was often evoked in documents from the nuncio of Venice (Nunziatura veneta series) and in records of pastoral visits (Visite pastoral series).
Archival history
The history of the Archivio storico del Patriarcato di Venezia reflects the centuries-old historical and institutional events of the Venetian Church. Originally located at the ancient cathedral in San Pietro di Castello, the archive of the Curia vescovile di Castello (Bishop's Curia of Castello) contains documentation created since the 14th century.
With the elevation of the bishopric of Castello to the patriarchate of Venice in 1451, there was an increase in the production and preservation of document series. During the patriarchy of Giovanni Bragadin (1758-1775), the "deputato archivista" (literally, deputy archivist) of the Chancellery, Giovanni Battista Scomparin, started the sorting of many document series, simultaneously drafting various volumes of compilations and repertories.
After the fall of the Republic of Venice in 1797, the patriarchal seat was transferred from Castello to the Basilica of San Marco in 1807. Until the completion of the patriarchal residence in 1840, the offices and archives of the Curia were moved to various locations, causing some losses and damages to its document collections.
The unification of the Chapter of San Pietro di Castello with that of San Marco was followed by the determination to unify both archives. This decision created more problems to the organisation of the collections, adding to those that had been originated as a result of the transformations of the previous decades.
In 1993, the archive moved from the top floor of the patriarchal palace to the current seat of Sant'Apollonia. This step was supported by the reception of numerous fonds from several parishes, associations and private individuals that were added to the archive.
The Archivio "segreto" (Secret Archive) fonds comprises documents concerning the internal affairs and government of the Patriarchate of Venice. The name "segreto" has been maintained for historical reasons, despite the fact that not all document series are under the category of "secret", from a canonical point of view.
The inventory work of the Archivio "segreto" was based on a first catalogue drawn up by Monsignor Gino Bortolan and Monsignor Fulvio Parisotto.
With the elevation of the bishopric of Castello to the patriarchate of Venice in 1451, there was an increase in the production and preservation of document series. During the patriarchy of Giovanni Bragadin (1758-1775), the "deputato archivista" (literally, deputy archivist) of the Chancellery, Giovanni Battista Scomparin, started the sorting of many document series, simultaneously drafting various volumes of compilations and repertories.
After the fall of the Republic of Venice in 1797, the patriarchal seat was transferred from Castello to the Basilica of San Marco in 1807. Until the completion of the patriarchal residence in 1840, the offices and archives of the Curia were moved to various locations, causing some losses and damages to its document collections.
The unification of the Chapter of San Pietro di Castello with that of San Marco was followed by the determination to unify both archives. This decision created more problems to the organisation of the collections, adding to those that had been originated as a result of the transformations of the previous decades.
In 1993, the archive moved from the top floor of the patriarchal palace to the current seat of Sant'Apollonia. This step was supported by the reception of numerous fonds from several parishes, associations and private individuals that were added to the archive.
The Archivio "segreto" (Secret Archive) fonds comprises documents concerning the internal affairs and government of the Patriarchate of Venice. The name "segreto" has been maintained for historical reasons, despite the fact that not all document series are under the category of "secret", from a canonical point of view.
The inventory work of the Archivio "segreto" was based on a first catalogue drawn up by Monsignor Gino Bortolan and Monsignor Fulvio Parisotto.
Administrative / Biographical history
The diocese of Venice was created in 1170 and later elevated to a patriarch in 1451. Its history is strongly entangled with the development of the Byzantine and Roman churches, and with different bishops that have existed in this region since the early Medieval Age.
As a result of the strong maritime connections of Venice with different regions and the strong presence of foreigners, the Protestant and non-Catholic populations in the territory were always numerous. This issue became particularly relevant with the Catholic Reformation, especially visible in Venice in the reform of local religious orders. The Trent reform created the grounds for greater attention given to the formation of the clergy and the development or intensification of religious practices, such was those resulting from the multiplication of brotherhoods and forms of public cult, the growing number of religious houses, pastoral visits, among others. In 1757, at the time of the fall of the Republic, there were 35 female monasteries in Venice: 12 from Augustinians, 12 from Benedictines, 8 from Franciscans, one from Dominicans, one from Servites and one from the Augustinian Third Order.
The constant pressure of possible Turkish attacks and, above all, the consequences of the conquest of the Italian territories by Bonaparte's armies meant a decline in the religious life and power of the Venetian Patriarchy. During this time, over 700 churches, convents, confraternities and schools were suppressed. It was also in this period (1807) that the Venetian patriarchal seat was transferred from S. Pietro di Castello to the basilica of S. Marco by Napoleon’s decree.
Currently, the Archdiocese of Venice is the metropolitan seat of the Venetian ecclesiastical province with the same name. The suffragan bishoprics are Adria, Belluno-Feltre, Chioggia, Concordia-Pordenone, Padua, Treviso, Verona, Vicenza and Vittorio Veneto. The patriarchate has 222 priests and 128 parishes, as well as 665 religious and 67 cloistered nuns divided into 71 communities and 6 monasteries. Its ordinary bishop is one of the few Patriarchates in the Catholic Church.
As a result of the strong maritime connections of Venice with different regions and the strong presence of foreigners, the Protestant and non-Catholic populations in the territory were always numerous. This issue became particularly relevant with the Catholic Reformation, especially visible in Venice in the reform of local religious orders. The Trent reform created the grounds for greater attention given to the formation of the clergy and the development or intensification of religious practices, such was those resulting from the multiplication of brotherhoods and forms of public cult, the growing number of religious houses, pastoral visits, among others. In 1757, at the time of the fall of the Republic, there were 35 female monasteries in Venice: 12 from Augustinians, 12 from Benedictines, 8 from Franciscans, one from Dominicans, one from Servites and one from the Augustinian Third Order.
The constant pressure of possible Turkish attacks and, above all, the consequences of the conquest of the Italian territories by Bonaparte's armies meant a decline in the religious life and power of the Venetian Patriarchy. During this time, over 700 churches, convents, confraternities and schools were suppressed. It was also in this period (1807) that the Venetian patriarchal seat was transferred from S. Pietro di Castello to the basilica of S. Marco by Napoleon’s decree.
Currently, the Archdiocese of Venice is the metropolitan seat of the Venetian ecclesiastical province with the same name. The suffragan bishoprics are Adria, Belluno-Feltre, Chioggia, Concordia-Pordenone, Padua, Treviso, Verona, Vicenza and Vittorio Veneto. The patriarchate has 222 priests and 128 parishes, as well as 665 religious and 67 cloistered nuns divided into 71 communities and 6 monasteries. Its ordinary bishop is one of the few Patriarchates in the Catholic Church.
Access points: locations
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
The fond is divided into series, according to the type of documents. Somes series are arranged chronologically and others alphabetically.
Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Kevin Soares, 2022
Bibliography
Linked resources
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| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Archivio Storico del Patriarcato di Venezia | Collections (official language of the state) |