Scavi

We had the great privilege today to go to the tomb of St. Peter. They only allow about 120 people a day to enter the excavations (or scavi) below St. Peter's basilica so we really are among the favored few. I have heard that you need to book this at least six months in advance, but we were able to secure these tickets in October. We are very happy that we did.

St. Peter's grave was a simple pauper's grave in the middle of a pagan cemetery on Vatican Hill. The early church in Rome knew of it's location and eventually erected a monument over it in order to prevent other pagan tombs from being built over it. Constantine's original basilica was built with the main altar directly over the place of the grave, and when the new basilica was built in the 1600's they did the same. However all of this was done on faith that the grave actually was where they thought it was. They had no archeological proof, only tradition. Starting in 1939 the Pope ordered excavations to take place secretly (so as not to call any attention by the fascist government). They eventually found the grave right where it should be, and identified the bone fragments as belonging to a 1st century man between 60 and 70 years old, of sturdy build, but without any foot bone fragments found. The missing feet make sense when you consider that the persecuted church in the time of Nero probably had to take the body away quickly, and since Peter was crucified upside-down they probably had to cut off his feet to do it. There are other factors that taken together all confirm that these are the bones of the fisherman that Jesus called to follow him; the Rock on which Jesus established His church.

From our place from about 10 feet away we could actually see some of the bone fragments, which were encased in lucite in order to prevent any further deteriorations. It was an emotional and awe-inspiring experience. If you ever have a chance to travel to Rome you should definitely try well in advance to obtain tickets to the scavi.