Admission for researchers

Each document in the archive is unique. As such, it must be handled with the utmost care and attention to slow down the natural deterioration it is inherently susceptible to. Therefore, all researchers granted access are kindly asked to cooperate in preserving the Opera del Duomo's documentary heritage.

In accordance with current regulations, documents older than forty years are freely available for historical research purposes. (Italian L. Decree 42/2004, Articles 122 and 127).

• Access to the archive is granted to qualified researchers with the necessary expertise to conduct archival research.
• To access the archive, researchers must complete an application form, providing personal details, educational qualifications, professional background, and the title of their research.
• The research application is valid for one year and pertains to a single research topic. Different topics require separate applications.
• University students who want to conduct archival research must submit a letter of recommendation from their professor, introducing the student and outlining the research.
• Researchers may access the study room with only paper, a pencil, and, if necessary, a laptop. Bags, personal belongings, cameras, digital cameras, portable scanners, items that could damage the documents, as well as food and drinks, must be stored in the designated lockers.
• The number of items that can be taken away is limited to a maximum of three per day.
• Documents must be handled with the utmost care and with clean hands.
• Do not make any markings on the documents, not even with a pencil, and do not place sheets, cards, or other objects on them. Do not bend the corners of pages to mark points of interest, and refrain from using unsuitable bookmarks. Bookmarks should be removed when you finish consulting them.
• It is prohibited to alter the order of the files, individual documents, or loose pages within a file. If any disarray is noticed, please inform the personnel.
• Pay the utmost attention when handling bindings, ribbons, seals, and similar items.
• Do not make copies, slides, or scans of documents or photograph materials without prior authorisation.
• Requests for permission to make photographs for publication must be submitted through the form. Such photographs will be provided by the trusted service of the Opera del Duomo, subject to approval by the Head of the Archive. For research purposes, photographs may be taken using personal equipment only for closely examining the text and resolving any reading uncertainties. The number of photographs permitted is limited to four per archival unit (register or folder).
• Admission to the study room requires researchers to submit a copy of their thesis and any publications (articles, books, catalogues, etc.) in which the archival materials have been used or cited.
• To ensure consistency when citing these materials, the archival reference for the documents must be provided as follows:
• Location, archival complex with the acronym AODO (Archivio dell’Opera del Duomo di Orvieto), Document Series and Number, and pages. E.g., Orvieto, AODO, Resolutions 10, folios 1-3.
• When citing an aggregated or acquired collection, the reference should include the location, archival repository, collection, document series and number, and folios. E.g., Orvieto, AODO, “La Nuova Fenice” Academy Archive, Resolution 1, folio.
• Failure to comply with the rules outlined in this document will result in the revocation of the authorisation to access the archive.
• The archive is open Monday to Friday, from 9:30 to 13:30 by appointment, calling +39 0763 342477 or emailing opsm@opsm.it.