The Vatican sponsored archeological excavations under Saint Peter's in the years 1940–1949 which revealed parts of a necropolis dating to Imperial times.
The work was undertaken at the request of Pope Pius XI who wished to be buried as close as possible to Peter the Apostle.
It is also home to the Tomb of the Julii, which has been dated to the third or fourth century.
Read more: Sacroprofano Splendor Of The Vatican Grottoes.
The Vatican Necropolis.
The necropolis was not originally one of the underground Catacombs of Rome, but an open air cemetery with tombs and mausolea.
Why Visit the Vatican Necropolis?
- Discover ancient Roman burial grounds hidden beneath the grounds of Vatican City.
- Explore a detailed network of mausoleums and tombs from the 1st and 4th centuries.
- Archaeologists believe that this site contains the original tomb of St. Peter himself!
- You will also get a close look at Emperor Constantine’s Temple, 15 mausoleums, and tombs from Pagan and Christian burial grounds.
What's Inside the Vatican Necropolis?
Hidden beneath the treasured Basilica of St. Peter is the ancient city of the dead called the Vatican Necropolis. Excavations in the 1940s unearthed the remains of mausoleums, tombs, and even what is believed to be the grave of St. Peter himself.
Inside the necropolis, you will find the 1st century Pagan burial site with small tombs made of clay and stone. Above this is a 5th century Pagan and Christian burial ground with many stone mausoleums and other ruins including a piece of a large arch.
Between the two levels is a small mount with a hole dug into it, a spot believed to contain the bones of St. Peter, as well as the rock upon which the original basilica was first constructed.
Caligula’s Circus.
The origins of the Vatican Necropolis are believed to date back to the time of the Etruscans buried the dead beyond the city walls. During this period, the law required bodies of the deceased to be buried outside of the urban area.
This means that during its inception, this area was technically not a part of the city. They built a necropolis on a nearby bill called the Viaticum. The “city of the dead,” as its name suggests, primarily served as Pagan and Christian burial grounds, which were open-air sites.
After the Etruscan civilization fell to the Romans, the Vatican territory became part of the city of Rome. Emperor Caligula built a circus adjacent to the necropolis. The circus was used by Romans for horse races and games, as well as Christian martyrdom.
A huge Egyptian obelisk was raised in the center of the circus, which stands today at St. Peter's Square.
