15th Century Medals Belonging to Pope Paul II Discovered in Rome

The medals of Pope Paul II astatine Palazzetto Venezia, Rome. Credit: Italian Ministry of Culture

A terracotta vase containing 3 bronze medals linked to Pope Paul II has been unearthed beneath the foundations of Palazzetto Venezia during excavations for Rome’s Metro Line C.

The medals, believed to day backmost to 1465, were recovered cautiously buried wrong the 15th-century structure, offering caller penetration into operation traditions during the Renaissance and the past surrounding the building’s papal origins.

The medals, each bearing the likeness of Pope Paul II, are considered portion of a symbolic instauration ritual. Archaeologists accidental the objects were deliberately placed during the building’s construction, a signifier rooted successful past customs meant to bring luck to important structures.

The discovery, made successful Piazza Venezia successful cardinal Rome, connects present-day infrastructure enactment to centuries-old ceremonial acts involving medals and spiritual figures specified arsenic Pope Paul II.

Ancient rituals revealed beneath the city

The find was confirmed by the Special Superintendency of Rome during enactment led by the Metro C company, nether Webuild and Vianini Lavori connected behalf of Roma Capitale.

The task has revealed respective layers of Rome’s analyzable past, but this tiny cache stands retired for its ritual significance.

Daniela Porro, Rome’s Special Superintendent, said the medals apt bespeak an auspicious contented that was wide successful the precocious 15th century.

Discovery of the medals astatine Palazzetto Venezia, Rome. Credit: Italian Ministry of Culture

She noted the timing of the discovery, during the existent Jubilee, adds taste weight, arsenic it highlights elements of regular beingness that blend commemorative and perchance superstitious practices tied to papal Rome.

Marta Baumgartner, pb archaeologist connected the excavation, explained that hiding objects successful gathering foundations is portion of a long-standing custom, seen not lone successful expansive structures similar palaces and churches but besides successful mean buildings, adjacent today.

Papal bequest and architectural history

The Palazzetto was primitively constructed successful 1467 connected the orders of Pope Paul II arsenic an hold of Palazzo Venezia. Two years aft becoming pope, Paul II commissioned the smaller residence, wherever helium lived for galore years.

After his death, his nephew, Marco Barbo, completed the project. The analyzable was talented to the Republic of Venice successful the 16th period and became its archetypal imperishable embassy successful Rome.

The medals volition acquisition conservation and are acceptable to beryllium displayed successful the caller Piazza Venezia station. Luigi La Rocca, manager astatine the Ministry of Culture, emphasized that the task demonstrates however modern improvement and practice preservation tin coexist, allowing humanities finds to beryllium studied and shared with the public.