View Article: Tomb of St. Peter and Pre-Constantine Necropolis of the Vatican

	Tomb of St. Peter and Pre-Constantine Necropolis of the Vatican
	written by Angela Hitt / 07.12.2004

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Location

Tomb of St. Peter and Pre-Constantine Necropolis of the Vatican

Connection to Research

The visit was very much what I expected it to be. The guided tour was very informative and scripted. Several plastic models of Constantine's original basilica and the original monument to St. Peter were visible at the beginning of the tour, making it more easy to understand how the current basilica is situated above those ruins. Other maps provided perspective as to where the excavated parts of the necropolis were in relation to the basilica above. We saw several intact pagan mosulea including the transitional one that contained both pagan and Christian symbols. There were statues, decorated sarcophagi, and elaborate mosaics. The Christus Helios mosaic was visible in one particular mosuleam.

The recent renovation were evident. They included futuristic automatic glass doors to control access between different areas, lights that don't produce heat, and an obvious temperature and humidity control system.

Element of Interest

The most interesting part of this tour was the St. Peter's grave and the graffiti covered stone slab that covered it. I was surprised that an elaborate chapel wasn't constructed once the location of the actual relics had been identified. The viewing area of the relics and the slab is simple; you climb the stairs to a simple metal platform and the relics and slab are illuminated but not adorned. A chapel, aligned with the original tomb, exhibits very opulent golden decoration.

Questions

Were St. Peters relics returned to the original mausoleum they were found in or are they locked in a vault somewhere?

St. Peter’s bones have been returned to the place they were discovered in protective plexi glass containers. The slab and the top of one of the boxes are visible from the last stop of the tour.

Image Analysis

Christ-Sol

Christus helios, the mosaic of Sol in Mausoleum M, which is interpreted as Christ

Because taking pictures in the Necropolis is not allowed, there are no images available except the one I found in my initial research. This particular picture cuts off part of the figure and makes the mosaic feel smaller than it really is. It also leaves out the surrounding mausoleum walls which contain scenes of Jonah and fisherman.

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