As the new Jubilee approaches, the directors of the Vatican Museums are making plans for an even wider range of visits to the sites they’re responsible for: already up and running is the new dedicated entrance to the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis.

What is the Via Triumphalis?

The Via Triumphalis was an ancient road leading into Rome, traditionally used by the Roman army on its way back to the Eternal City. Its route ended at the Capitoline, and as the name suggests, walking its length was part of the rites to celebrate a victory in battle. The modern road that “overwrites” part of its route, the Via Trionfale, is now a large, busy entrance to the “Urbe” – nothing to do with generals and soldiers! – However, part of the ancient Via Triumphalis now lies beneath the Vatican complex, including St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis

As in many other parts of ancient Rome, it was customary to bury the dead along the main roads outside the city, and the Via Triumphalis was no exception. For years, visiting the necropolis was one of Vatican City’s alternative cultural offerings. Not to be confused with another underground tour, the famous “Scavi/Excavations”, which has a dedicated ticket, this one attraction features dozens of tombstones, pagan as well as early Christian, positioned on what used to be the slopes of the ancient Vatican Hill (the hill still exists, but is completely occupied by the museums and the Basilica!).

Only a small part of this ancient cemetery has been excavated (a virtual tour is available on this page) and while a visit was already possible, there is a new dedicated access to the underground archaeological site that makes it much easier to reach. Visits, currently scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays, can be booked exclusively online at the official Vatican Museums website.

The entrance to the necropolis is now located on the Piazza Risorgimento at the Porta di Santa Rosa (the modern looking bronze doors can be seen here.