Codex Calixtinus stolen from Spanish Cathedral

On Thursday, July 5, 2011, the Codex Calixtinus, a priceless 12th century manuscript, had been stolen from a safe in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The manuscript, written under the auspices of Pope Calixtus II, and mostly deals with St. James, his marterdon, sermons and the account of how his remains miraculously washed up on the coast of northwestern Spain. The Spanish town that houses his tomb, now known as Santiago de Compostela, is a major Christian pilgrimage site (third most important, after Jerusalem and Rome). The manuscript also includes The History of Charlemagne and Roland and the oldest surviving copy of the Guide for the Traveller, one of the first and most popular tourist guide books of the Middle Ages.

According to the local press reports, the Codex was taken without signs of forced entry and when the theft was discovered, the keys to the safe were still hanging in the lock. The Spanish national police are currently investigating the case and state the motive for the theft is still unclear.

- Further coverage can be found at Time.com – Mon, Jul 11, 2011

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2082071,00.html