One College With A Unique Artifact Is On Rick Steves' List Of Top European Universities

The United States is home to dozens of so-called "college towns," wherein the town itself is known for its university affiliation, and perhaps little else. There are a few universities in the U.S. that could potentially double as tourist attractions, like Yale or Columbia. In Europe, however, this is taken to another level. Some universities make for "essential sightseeing" in Europe, according to Rick Steves. Centuries-old universities across the continent feature art and architecture rivaling that of famous cathedrals. Oxford and Cambridge in England might first come to mind, but another must-visit is Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.

What makes Trinity College in Dublin one of Rick Steves' favorite European universities is the Book of Kells. At first glance, it may look like a massive book that belongs in a classic fairytale, but the Book of Kells is a quintessential example of the lost art of manuscript illumination, and a significant source of pride for Ireland. The secret to fully appreciating Europe's best sights is to have a bit of background knowledge, and this rule definitely applies to the Book of Kells.

Illuminated manuscripts were popular among medieval churches and monasteries. To make them, craftspeople wrote religious texts with impeccable penmanship and complemented the writing with detailed illustrations. Gold details throughout is a key aspect of these artifacts as well. At first, these meticulous artists working around the clock were strictly church workers, but by the 14th century, illuminated manuscripts were produced more commercially to go along with more widespread access to education.

Monks created the Book of Kells around 800 A.D., and it has been at Trinity College in Dublin since 1661. As Rick Steves points out on his blog, the famous manuscript was "elaborately inked and meticulously illustrated by faithful monks, who went to great lengths in creating the 680-page book." Paper and ink were vastly different during this era. The pages in the Book of Kells are made of vellum, which comes from scraped calf skin, and the ink came from crushed bugs and gemstones. The book's text and illustrations following the life of Christ are not immaculate, but the small imperfections serve as fascinating reminders that this book was man-made, another foreign concept in today's age of machine mass production. To complicate things further, the Book of Kells is in Latin, which was not the first language of these monks.

Given the popularity of the Book of Kells, Rick Steves recommends buying your ticket ahead of time. Self-guided tickets cost 25 euros (as of March 2025) while guided-tour options showing off more aspects of Trinity College are €33.50 and €65. Even if you opt for admission without a tour guide, you will get access to the Old Library. This two-story building should be on every bookworm's bucket list. The arched wooden interior that makes up the library's Long Room features floor to ceiling shelves of books, busts of famous literary figures, and soft lighting fit for lots of pensive academics. Many compare the Long Room to the Hogwarts library in the "Harry Potter" series.

Each tour option also includes digital immersive experiences that show off the Long Room's nearly 300 years of history. Other wall projections expertly bring the Book of Kells and other important artifacts at Trinity College into the modern world. All of this may sound like a lot, but you can check out the library, digital creations, and the Book of Kells in just a few hours.