Pagan Tomb Under St. Peter's Basilica Reopened

by Rob Walker | May 28, 2008 at 04:54 pm | 1022 views | 18 comments

An amazing pagan tomb built by slaves during the second half of the second century underneath St. Peter's Basilica in Italy has been reopened today after nearly a year of restoration work.

Built for the Valeri family to honor their young children who died at an early age, possibly of the plague, the tomb is an excellent example of the stucco architecture and artwork of the time. The walls are adorned with common themes from the time, such as a quill and skein of yarn, along with reliefs of major gods and other pagan figures.

The family of slaves who built it, once freed, amassed a vast fortune.

The Vatican unveiled the largest and most luxurious of the pagan tombsin the necropolis under St. Peter's Basilica on Tuesday after nearly ayear of restoration work.

A family of former slaves built the Valeri Mausoleum during the second half of the second century, when Emperor Marcus Aurelius ruled. It is one of 22 pagan tombs in the grottoes under the basilica.
The newly restored tomb was shown to media Tuesday. Visitors can have a guided tour of the grottoes by appointment.

Emperor Constantine, a convert to Christianity, had the pagan burial grounds covered up in the fourth century so the basilica could be built over the site holding St. Peter's tomb.

The building consisted of five aisles, a wide central nave and two smaller aisles to each side, which were each divided by 21 marble columns, which were all spoils from earlier pagan buildings.[4] It was over 350 feet long, built in the shape of a Latin cross, and had a gabled roof which was timbered on the interior and which stood at over 100 feet at the center. An atrium, known as the Garden of Paradise, stood at the entrance and had five doors which led to the body of the church, but was actually a sixth century addition.

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SarahG31

at 04:21 on May 29th, 2008

St. Peter's Basilica is an amazing building, beautiful artwork inside, amazing views across Rome from the very top, and looks beautiful when the lights are on.

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vapour trail

at 05:04 on May 29th, 2008

One of the most beautiful and awe inspiring buildings I have ever visited. It literally silences everyone who enters and makes the whole experience more that bit more personal and memorable. The detail, opulence and, pure impact of hue and space of the Basilica is something that has to be seen to be believed.

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markobroadhead

at 05:07 on May 29th, 2008

Being on the roof of St Peter's is like being at a swimming centre without a pool or a town square without any streets leading into it. People wander around a little aimlessly, with no stations of the cross to guide them as they were at ground level.

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badgerbombs

at 05:08 on May 29th, 2008

The back side of the statues above St. Peter's. Taken from the roof.

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arttea7

at 07:52 on May 29th, 2008

I was in Rome in April and St. Peter's was stunning. In the center of the Basilica is the altar designed by Bernini. Said to cover the remains of St. Peter, it is supported by huge columns that are made from bronze taken from the Pantheon. These dark rich columns stand out against the lighter, brighter marbles and frescos. Each column is about 100 feet tall to put size in perspective.

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jedle

at 08:23 on May 29th, 2008

View from the top of St. Peter's Basilica is really fascinating.

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PJBayens

at 08:23 on May 29th, 2008

This pine cone in the courtyard of the Vatican Museum was one of the few items retained from the Old (Constantinian) Basilica Martyrium of St. Peter.

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Merinda Thrower

at 08:54 on May 29th, 2008

Visiting the Basilica was an amazing experience that I hope to eventually share with my children. To view things that you have studied and that were created centuries ago is something that I will forever treasure. This piece in particular, Michelangelo's Pieta, is very moving and one that I truly enjoyed seeing.

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BlackApathy

at 10:35 on May 29th, 2008

To truly experience the St. Peter's Basilica in all of it's glory,you have to go into it at a certain timing of the day where the sunlight would bring out it's magnificence.Unfortunately the place was utterly over-stunning which caused me to missed out on some other shots(E.g The centre of the dome,etc) that would have further elaborate this factor.

Also, while inside you could sometimes hear a certain magical chanting coming from the underground(That was what it sounded like to me at least).What I'm sure of is,that it wasn't coming from a tape or any of that sort.

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StijnLovesFlickr

at 10:56 on May 29th, 2008

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psychopack batwing

at 11:10 on May 29th, 2008

St. Peter's Square on 9/29/2006.

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Chez Gianni

at 16:13 on May 29th, 2008

St.Peter's square without pilgrims and people attending mass. A good perspective provided by the converging lines and the emtpy seating and standing spaces

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davidhetw

at 22:18 on May 29th, 2008

Sunshine at the main entrance to St. Peter's Basilica of Vatican City.

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lamonse

at 02:04 on May 30th, 2008

St. Peter's Basilica.

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maryannnavarro1981

at 02:13 on May 30th, 2008

I saw St. Peter's Basilica and it is absolutely breath taking! The basilica is beautiful and it brought a lot of faith in me. I definitely found my soul here!

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nikolajboegh

at 16:13 on June 3rd, 2008

The magnificent building by night.

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rallyfreak

at 22:41 on June 9th, 2008

good stuff:

Vatican City was amazing for me. I spent 4 days in Rome, at least 2 of which were spent in Vatican City, as I just couldn't leave that place. Many things were incredibly moving. I'm not the most religous guy, but it was inspiring none the less.

lostinphoenix

at 14:27 on June 24th, 2008

One of the most awe-inspiring places I have ever seen.

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