NECROPOLI DI SAN PIETRO
Beautifully decorated mausoleums in a necropolis, where Saint Peter was buried.
Peter died in Caligula's circus and was buried in a necropolis on the east bank of the Tiber, which was less populated than the west bank. Among the ancient alleys built before and under Constantine is the so-called "Gaius Trophy" which contained the remains of the apostle, wrapped in a purple tunic, the imperial color. During the visit, the guide will remind you of the historical and architectural elements of the circus, the necropolis and the two successive basilicas.
Originally, Peter was buried lying in a pit, covered with tiles, in a pagan cemetery adjacent to the circus, at the foot of a wall covered with a red plaster. It is only later, in the 2nd century, that a trophy is built, that is to say a small monument with two columns leaning against the red wall and surmounted by two other small columns supporting a pediment. In the 4th century, when Constantine decided to build the first basilica, he ordered the construction of a wall of marble and porphyry around the tomb of Peter, in order to protect the place. This was only the beginning of a long series of successive changes. It was in this wall that the bones of a 65 to 70 year old man were unearthed in 1942. In
thenecropolis, you will also see several mausoleums, some of which are beautifully decorated with mosaics and murals. Most of the tombs are decorated with pagan and early Christian motifs.
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L'itinéraire a changé et s'éloigne du mur de Pierre.
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