The seminar aims to reveal the subterranean levels under the most important Christian Church of the world on the steps of the Apostle Peter. According to ancient sources, Peter was executed in AD 64, during the reign of Nero and was buried in a poor cemetery flanking the circus where Peter and other Christians suffered martyrdom.

With time, the space of the necropolis was occupied by Christian tombs, concentrated, mainly, around the one identified as Peter's tomb. In the year 313 AD Emperor Constantine, having declared Christian religion legal, promoted the building of a church above the venerated tomb of the Apostle Peter. To have a platform large enough for the grandiose building, he filled up all the old pagan tombs and designed the basilica to form a cross just above the grave of Peter.

In 1939, workmen were changing the level of the pavement in the grotto under the main floor of St. Peter’s Basilica in preparation for the tomb of Pope Pius XI. After some initial excavations they rediscovered the necropolis with the tombs perfectly preserved. The works proceeded up to and under the high altar where, ideally, St. Peter’s tomb would be located and, there the remnants of the Apostle Peter where found.

The lecture has been recorded for you!

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