New life in the Mausoleum of Saint Helena and the Catacombs of Saints Marcellin and Peter – Rome – Arte.it

Roma – A suggestive archaeological site in the capital is fully accessible again and regains its integrity. The Mausoleum of Saint Helena and the Catacombs of Saints Marcellin and Peter, forgotten for decades, have been the focus of particular attention in recent years: on the occasion of the 2025 anniversary, restoration and valorization works have made the two monuments legible and usable again, highlighting their value in the rich panorama of early Christian Rome. The latest intervention now connects them in one integrated route, ensuring full accessibility even for blind, deaf and mobility-impaired visitors, and makes visible the evidence uncovered during the most recent excavations, while a new lighting system invites the public to an immersive experience in the catacombs, which, with more than 87 frescoed rooms, almost represent an art gallery of late antiquity.“With this intervention we make a highly symbolic place like the Mausoleum of Saint Helena more accessible to all Romans and to Italian and foreign visitors,” says – underlines Daniela Porro, Special Superintendent of Rome: “In addition, the security systems have been strengthened to evaluate the stability of the building where the mother of Emperor Constantine was buried, probably the true inspiration of the Edict of Milan of 313 that guaranteed freedom of worship for Christians.”

For the funeral of his mother, Constantine had a monument with a diameter of over 20 meters erected right next to the new Basilica of Saints Marcellin and Peter, who died under Diocletian’s persecutions. Formerly mentioned Ad two Lauros O Lauretus Farmthe place was connected to the great imperial palace of the Sessorium which stood near the current Porta Maggiore. Over the centuries, the necropolises have welcomed its remains individual knights – the knights of the Imperial Guard – and also those of the last martyrs of Christianity.

The Mausoleum of Sant’Elena, called Tor Pignattara by the Romans because of the numerous empty amphorae – “pignatte” in the Roman dialect – placed in the wall to support the large dome, is today the support point of an interesting archaeological center. Together with the monumental structure that has lost many of its decorative elements but preserved the famous amphorae, visitors can observe the Catacombs of Saints Marcellin and Peter, with numerous paintings from the 4th century, and the new Antiquarium located in a small church of the 17th century, right within the walls of the building. The museum’s finds tell the entire historical story of the area: from the Constantinian complex, where layered finds illustrate the progressive Christianization of the countryside around the city, to the desolation between the 11th and 12th centuries, when Helena’s porphyry sarcophagus was transferred to the Lateran.

The site has been completely restored and made safe and is now equipped with tactile panels showing the history of the complex, video guides in Lis en Is, ramps, stair lifts and 3D viewers to observe the Mausoleum in its original appearance. A raised glass walkway allows you to observe from above the crypt attributed to the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste, which came to light during recent excavations, with an intense system of burials in the floor. An old passage from 1769 has also been restored, which brings together the current Antiquarium of the Mausoleum and the underlying catacombs in a single visiting circuit with different entrances and exits.

Finally, access to the catacombs with indirect lighting allows the visitor to gradually adapt their vision to the softer colors and tones of the catacomb galleries, offering an immersive visiting experience. Along the new connection you can see interesting archaeological finds from recent excavations in the catacombs, such as the tombstones of the individual knights of the emperor.