A terracotta vase containing three 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 date back to 1465, were found carefully buried inside the 15th-century structure, offering new insight into construction traditions during the Renaissance and the history surrounding the building’s papal origins.
The medals, each bearing the likeness of Pope Paul II, are considered part of a symbolic foundation ritual. Archaeologists say the objects were deliberately placed during the building’s construction, a practice rooted in ancient customs meant to bring fortune to significant structures.
The discovery, made in Piazza Venezia in central Rome, connects present-day infrastructure work to centuries-old ceremonial acts involving medals and religious figures such as Pope Paul II.
Ancient rituals revealed beneath the city
The find was confirmed by the Special Superintendency of Rome during work led by the Metro C company, under Webuild and Vianini Lavori on behalf of Roma Capitale.
The project has revealed several layers of Rome’s complex past, but this small cache stands out for its ritual significance.
Daniela Porro, Rome’s Special Superintendent, said the medals likely reflect an auspicious tradition that was widespread in the late 15th century.
She noted the timing of the discovery, during the current Jubilee, adds cultural weight, as it highlights elements of daily life that blend commemorative and possibly superstitious practices tied to papal Rome.
Marta Baumgartner, lead archaeologist on the excavation, explained that hiding objects in building foundations is part of a long-standing custom, seen not only in grand structures like palaces and churches but also in ordinary buildings, even today.
Papal legacy and architectural history
The Palazzetto was originally constructed in 1467 on the orders of Pope Paul II as an extension of Palazzo Venezia. Two years after becoming pope, Paul II commissioned the smaller residence, where he lived for many years.
After his death, his nephew, Marco Barbo, completed the project. The complex was gifted to the Republic of Venice in the 16th century and became its first permanent embassy in Rome.
The medals will undergo conservation and are set to be displayed in the new Piazza Venezia station. Luigi La Rocca, director at the Ministry of Culture, emphasized that the project demonstrates how modern development and heritage preservation can coexist, allowing historical finds to be studied and shared with the public.
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