Location: Via XII Dicembre 28, 33045 Nimis/Neme (UD) | Osteria Al Cacciatore
Did you know that one of the most distinctive and valuable manuscripts in our region’s linguistic history originated right here in Cergneu/Černjeja, in the Torre Valley?
The Cergneu Manuscript, also known as the Černjejski Rokopis, takes us back in time to the period between 1459 and 1585, telling a story of people, places, languages, and everyday life.
Just 16 pages preserve a truly rare piece of history: one of the oldest surviving documents written in Slovenian, recorded in the local Torre Valley dialect using the Latin alphabet. Unlike most Slavic texts from the Middle Ages, which were primarily religious in nature, the Cergneu/Černjeja Manuscript is an administrative document. It records donations made to the Confraternity of Saint Mary of Cergneu/Černjeja, offering us a tangible glimpse into community life more than five centuries ago.
Personal names, place names, and everyday words bring us closer to a past that feels surprisingly near.
Today, the manuscript is preserved at the National Archaeological Museum in Cividale del Friuli/Čedad. But its story begins right here, in our valleys. On Friday, October 23, scholars and researchers who have studied the manuscript will share its history, distinctive linguistic features, and fascinating details, inviting us to discover a remarkable piece of cultural heritage born in Cergneu/Černjeja itself.
The occasion will also feature a performance by the Naše vasi choir from Taipana/Tipana, followed by a chance to gather and enjoy some time together.
