Once again, Cindi Emond, our "CCR Vatican Specialist," has organized an exclusive visit to a fascinating site within the Vatican City. Thanks to the kind
patronage of the Ambassador of Canada to the Holy See, Madam Anne Leahy, we
will be admitted to the archeological excavations of the Via Triumphalis Necropolis, which is currently closed to the general
public. The Vatican Museums are graciously offering this tour
to us in recognition of the role of the Canadian Patrons; this benefit is reflected in the special low price of this event for members in good standing.
When: Thursday, January 26, 2012; group to enter gates at
9:45, visit starts at 10 a.m.
Where: meet by 9:35 a.m. at the latest, at the exit doors of
the Vatican Museums, Viale Vaticano 100
Cost: €5 for CCR members; €15 for non-members; NB cost of guides partially underwritten by the CCR
Participants: maximum 20, priority given to CCR members
Deadline: bookings by Tuesday, January 24, 9 a.m.
RSVP: Attn. Cindi Emond at canadarome@gmail.com; you are
financially responsible for your reservation
Guides: Dott. Spinola and Dott.ssa
Valeri, who are in charge of the excavation project. N.B. They have
advised us that work is still being done and consequently everyone should wear
comfortable shoes.
Fortuitously discovered in 2003 during works to build the
Santa Rosa parking lot, inside the Vatican City, the Via Triumphalis necropolis
is a precious addition to archeological understanding of Roman Imperial burial rites,
especially for the lower and middle classes, in addition to those of the very
rich. The Via Triumphalis linked Rome with the Etruscan city of Veio and was
given its name due to the triumphal parades that took place along it.
Called “Little Pompei” by some enthusiasts, this
highly-regarded site includes 250 tombs, in the space of just 500 square
meters, and the assortment of sarcophagi, tombstones, engravings, sculptures, stelae,
and altars is astounding. Visitors can directly see the context of these items
because, after having been restored, they were returned to the tomb locations
in which they were discovered instead of being put in a separate museum building.
This creates an innovative, organic necropolis-museum. Many of the tombs were
discovered in an excellent state of preservation and can be dated to the
Augustan age (27 B.C. -14 A.D.) and the age of Constantine (306-337 A.D.). Some
buildings have frescoes and stuccoes on their walls and there are a number of interesting
mosaic floors.
See this 2009 video for a preview of this exciting site.
See this 2009 video for a preview of this exciting site.
