Track the Barbanera Almanacs from the Middle Ages Until Today
The Collection of Barbanera Almanacs, spanning the 18th-20th centuries, is the most complete almanac collection globally and proof of forecasting literature, which lives on today.
Title page from ancient Barbanera Almanacs, page 4 (19th - 20th centuries)UNESCO Memory of the World
What Are the Barbanera Almanacs?
Barbanera is a famous Italian almanac. Its first found copy is dated 1762 (earlier versions existed) and it is published yearly to this day. Since the first edition, Barbanera has been issued in the form of a wall calendar and paperback almanac.
What Do Barbanera Almanacs Contain?
A calendar for that year, weather forecasts, information about lunar phases and the stars, curious facts, proverbs, gardening tips, and advice for a healthy lifestyle. All contents are inspired by a legendary astronomer and philosopher with a long black beard named Barbanera.
Representations of months and seasons - April (1955-04)UNESCO Memory of the World
Collection of Barbanera Almanacs
The collection of almanacs (1762-1962) consists of 356 original editions, making it the most complete collection of Barbanera Alamanacs in the world. It provides outstanding proof of almanac literature from a time in Italy when this phenomenon was at its most intense.
Title page from ancient Barbanera Almanacs, page 3 (19th - 20th centuries)UNESCO Memory of the World
Why Is the Collection of Barbanera Almanacs Important?
The Collection is a symbol of a literary genre with one of the largest spatial-temporal circulations in the western world from the 18th century. It allows the reconstruction of cultural history: moral and religious, political and social, and economic and agronomic.
Representations of months and seasons - December (1955-12)UNESCO Memory of the World
Stand Out among Many Other Almanacs in Italy
Barbanera was once one among dozens of almanacs – national, local, general or tailored to specific readerships such as young women or farmers – distributed at village markets by traveling peddlers. Almanacs were one of the main news sources for a nation fragmented by geography and economics.
Title page from ancient Barbanera Almanacs, page 2 (19th - 20th centuries)UNESCO Memory of the World
Century of Almanacs
The 18th century was the “century of almanacs.” The Barbanera forecasting literature was acclaimed for its vast circulation and non-localistic scope. Its unfailing formula was based on a conversational writing style and its deep roots in the collective memory of the Italian nation.
Advice for agriculture (19th - 20th centuries)UNESCO Memory of the World
Touchstone of Italian Culture
Barbanera’s homespun advice is not high literature but it is a touchstone of Italian culture. Many of Italy’s most important literary, political, and economic figures have been vocal fans of this historic publication. Its influence has been ubiquitous in Italy over the centuries.
Domestic Reading for an Entire Nation
Barbanera was often the only book in the homes of the less well-off social classes. It became the main domestic reading material for the entire Italian nation. It helped create a mass culture and identity-making heritage, until modern mass communication in the late 20th century.
Representations of months and seasons - February (1955-02)UNESCO Memory of the World
International Circulation
Barbanera is the only example of an almanac that had an outstanding circulation as early as the 19th century and also a presence in various countries worldwide from the first half of the 20th century. It even circulated in the United States and Argentina.
Title pages from ancient Barbanera Almanacs, page 1 (19th - 20th centuries)UNESCO Memory of the World
Barbanera Almanacs Today
Barbanera is still highly popular and Italians enjoy its pragmatic advice regarding gardening tips, home remedies and economics, recipes, weather forecasts, etc., alongside lighter segments as horoscopes, lottery number suggestions, and guides to the interpretation of dreams.
The Barbanera Editions: History of an almanac that made the history of almanacs (19th - 20th centuries)UNESCO Memory of the World
A short video about the story of Barbanera Almanack, with a testimony of Dario Fo (19th - 20th centuries)UNESCO Memory of the World
