CHARM-EU // english

CHARM-EU

Cultural heritage through the centuries

online exhibition

What is CHARM-EU?

Montpellier

François Rabelais (1494?–1553), the renowned French writer and humanist, was closely linked to the University of Montpellier during his academic career, as he studied medicine there in the early 16th century. His satirical and erudite writings, including his famous series Gargantua and Pantagruel, reflects the intellectual environment of the time, which was enriched by the academic and philosophical discourse at Montpellier. In the 19th century, Gustave Doré (1832–1883) created a series of illustrations for Rabelais’s work, which brought new life and visual richness to these fantastical tales.

ELTE

Péter Pázmány (1570–1637), archbishop of Esztergom and influential Jesuit educator established the University of Nagyszombat (Trnava) in 1635, which is the precursor to Eötvös Loránd University. This institution marked the beginning of uninterrupted higher education in Hungary. After his death, his books also found their way into the library of the university, and today they form an invaluable part of its special collection. The wide scope of Pázmány’s interests is well illustrated by the work of German surgeon Wilhelm Fabry (1560–1634), which discusses the causes, the pathognomonic signs, and the removal process of the bladder stone.

Utrecht

Abraham Munting (1626–1683) was a prominent Dutch botanist and professor whose career was closely linked to the Utrecht University. As a distinguished scholar, Munting contributed significantly to botanical science through his research and teaching at the university. His work in botany, particularly in plant classification and description, not only advanced scientific knowledge but also enhanced the university’s reputation. His best-known work, the Naauwkeurige beschryving der aardgewassen, published posthumously in Utrecht and Leiden in 1696, is notable for its unique botanical illustrations.

Würzburg

Gaspar Schott (1608–1666) studied at the Jesuit College in Würzburg before joining the Society of Jesus in 1627. His studies at the University of Würzburg were interrupted by the Swedish invasion in 1631, but he returned to the city in 1655, where he stayed until his death. Schott is renowned for his Physica curiosa, a two-volume encyclopedia published in Würzburg, which explores both supernatural phenomena and natural wonders.

HRW

Dublin

Sir Richard Bolton (1570?–1648), an English lawyer and judge played an important part in Irish 17th-century political life. At the end of 1618, he was appointed Solicitor-General for Ireland. During his tenure, Bolton produced a comprehensive publication of early Irish parliamentary acts, which was dedicated to Sir Oliver St John, and printed by the Society of Stationers of Dublin in 1621. This work meticulously catalogued and preserved the statutes, some of which had lapsed into disuse, and has been widely appreciated for its historical significance.

Åbo Akademi

Åbo Akademi University, established in 1918 in Turku, Finland, is a prominent institution dedicated to Swedish-language education and research. Founded in the wake of Finland’s independence, the university was created to serve the Swedish-speaking population and has since evolved into a significant center of learning and scholarship. The Atlas selectus of Saxon cartographer, Johann Georg Schreiber (1676–1750) was created for convenient use in schools, as well as on trips. The map of Finland was part of the atlas as early as 1772 and uses the Swedish name of the university town.

Barcelona

Simpliciano Bizozeri (?–1710) of the Barnabite order wrote a work about Hungary in Tuscan language, which was translated into Spanish, and printed in Barcelona in 1688. The book provides a detailed examination of the key cities, castles, and fortifications in the Kingdom of Hungary, including its annexed territories and Transylvania, organized according to the royal administrative system. Richly illustrated with 44 plates, including 9 fold-out ones, the book features portraits and panoramic views of the cities and fortifications.

Bergen

The original exhibition was open in the ELTE University Librarybetween 21 September 2024 and 31 March 2025. Curator: Márk VrabélyOnline exhibiton: Márk Vrabély The books used for the virtual exhibition are the property of the ELTE University Library and Archives, and their digital reproduction can be accessed in the repository of Eötvös Loránd University.

CHARM-EU is the Challenge-driven, Accessible, Research-Based and Mobile European University Alliance. Made up of 9 partner universities across Europe, CHARM-EU brings together diverse cultures, histories, languages, cultures and economic perspectives. Want to check the list of partner universities? Click on the globe!

Erik Ludvigsen Pontoppidan (1698–1764) served as the Lutheran bishop of the Diocese of Bergen (Bjørgvin) from 1748 to 1755. During his tenure, he was instrumental in the administration of the diocese and had a considerable influence on the religious and social life in Bergen and its surrounding areas. In 1750, he established the Seminarium Fredericianum, which today houses Norway’s oldest preschool. His two-volume work, Forsøk til Norges naturlige historie describes the natural history of Norway, supplemented by copper plates. A German translation by Johann Adolph Scheibe (1708–1776) was published in København in 1753.

Hochschule Ruhr West, established in 2009, is a university of applied sciences located in Mülheim an der Ruhr and Bottrop, focusing on practical education. Even though the cities and the university are relatively young, the area has a rich history. Essen (located between the two cities) had several depictions in the medieval and early modern periods, of which the most famous is the one featured in the third book of the Civitates orbis terrarum. This six-volume work, edited by Georg Braun (1541–1622) features a collection of detailed maps of cities and regions across Europe and beyond, and is renowned for its intricate engravings and decorative elements.