Holy profits rise: Vatican jumps 35% amid budget struggles

Treasures beneath the Vatican

Treasures beneath the Vatican, Greco-Roman sculpture trove, Astonishing discovery, Ancient Roman athletic portraits, An extravagant bathtub, A sacred manuscript, Crux Vaticana, Ancient Etruscan artifacts, The painting of Jesus, A Post-Impressionist's tribute, Ancient maps of discovery, The glittering papal jewels, A legendary Egyptian collection, Hidden necropolis, Mystery bones

Beneath Vatican City lie priceless historical artifacts and mysteries far surpassing the treasures displayed above ground. These hidden wonders have intrigued historians and scholars for centuries, raising curiosity about what exactly the Vatican vaults might contain in their entirety.

Greco-Roman sculpture trove

Treasures beneath the Vatican, Greco-Roman sculpture trove, Astonishing discovery, Ancient Roman athletic portraits, An extravagant bathtub, A sacred manuscript, Crux Vaticana, Ancient Etruscan artifacts, The painting of Jesus, A Post-Impressionist's tribute, Ancient maps of discovery, The glittering papal jewels, A legendary Egyptian collection, Hidden necropolis, Mystery bones

When the Roman Empire fell, the Vatican inherited an immense collection of classical artifacts. For instance, it boasts the world's largest assemblage of Greco-Roman sculptures, including ‘Laocoön and His Sons,’ hailed as the pinnacle of ancient artistry.

Astonishing discovery

Treasures beneath the Vatican, Greco-Roman sculpture trove, Astonishing discovery, Ancient Roman athletic portraits, An extravagant bathtub, A sacred manuscript, Crux Vaticana, Ancient Etruscan artifacts, The painting of Jesus, A Post-Impressionist's tribute, Ancient maps of discovery, The glittering papal jewels, A legendary Egyptian collection, Hidden necropolis, Mystery bones

When ‘Laocoön and His Sons’ emerged from Renaissance-era excavations in Rome, skeptics initially suspected that it was a contemporary forgery by Michelangelo. Scholars later authenticated the sculpture, identifying it as an authentic masterpiece from the Hellenistic Greek period (200 BCE to 70 CE).

Ancient Roman athletic portraits

Treasures beneath the Vatican, Greco-Roman sculpture trove, Astonishing discovery, Ancient Roman athletic portraits, An extravagant bathtub, A sacred manuscript, Crux Vaticana, Ancient Etruscan artifacts, The painting of Jesus, A Post-Impressionist's tribute, Ancient maps of discovery, The glittering papal jewels, A legendary Egyptian collection, Hidden necropolis, Mystery bones

The Vatican also possesses remarkable mosaics recovered from Rome’s Baths of Caracalla that depict celebrated athletes from around 217 CE. These mosaics offer a rare glimpse into the lives and physical prowess of athletic celebrities during the Roman Empire's zenith.

An extravagant bathtub

Treasures beneath the Vatican, Greco-Roman sculpture trove, Astonishing discovery, Ancient Roman athletic portraits, An extravagant bathtub, A sacred manuscript, Crux Vaticana, Ancient Etruscan artifacts, The painting of Jesus, A Post-Impressionist's tribute, Ancient maps of discovery, The glittering papal jewels, A legendary Egyptian collection, Hidden necropolis, Mystery bones

A 2,000-year-old bathtub once belonging to Emperor Nero resides in the Vatican, crafted from a rare Egyptian marble known as porphyry. Today, sourcing this amount of porphyry would cost approximately US$1 billion.

A sacred manuscript

Treasures beneath the Vatican, Greco-Roman sculpture trove, Astonishing discovery, Ancient Roman athletic portraits, An extravagant bathtub, A sacred manuscript, Crux Vaticana, Ancient Etruscan artifacts, The painting of Jesus, A Post-Impressionist's tribute, Ancient maps of discovery, The glittering papal jewels, A legendary Egyptian collection, Hidden necropolis, Mystery bones

Among its invaluable holdings, the Vatican archives contain the Vatican Codex, possibly the oldest complete Bible. Created around 325–350 CE, it is one of just four known manuscripts featuring the entire Old and New Testaments, written in the original Greek.

Crux Vaticana

Treasures beneath the Vatican, Greco-Roman sculpture trove, Astonishing discovery, Ancient Roman athletic portraits, An extravagant bathtub, A sacred manuscript, Crux Vaticana, Ancient Etruscan artifacts, The painting of Jesus, A Post-Impressionist's tribute, Ancient maps of discovery, The glittering papal jewels, A legendary Egyptian collection, Hidden necropolis, Mystery bones

One of Christianity's most venerated relics, the Crux Vaticana purportedly houses fragments from Christ’s cross. Although authenticity remains debated, its historical and religious significance as a Byzantine relic is widely acknowledged.

Ancient Etruscan artifacts

Treasures beneath the Vatican, Greco-Roman sculpture trove, Astonishing discovery, Ancient Roman athletic portraits, An extravagant bathtub, A sacred manuscript, Crux Vaticana, Ancient Etruscan artifacts, The painting of Jesus, A Post-Impressionist's tribute, Ancient maps of discovery, The glittering papal jewels, A legendary Egyptian collection, Hidden necropolis, Mystery bones

The Vatican's Gregorian Etruscan Museum houses significant archaeological discoveries from the ancient Etruscan civilization. It features beautifully preserved pottery, intricate jewelry, and compelling bronze sculptures that offer intriguing insights into Italy's pre-Roman inhabitants and their vibrant cultural traditions.

The painting of Jesus

Treasures beneath the Vatican, Greco-Roman sculpture trove, Astonishing discovery, Ancient Roman athletic portraits, An extravagant bathtub, A sacred manuscript, Crux Vaticana, Ancient Etruscan artifacts, The painting of Jesus, A Post-Impressionist's tribute, Ancient maps of discovery, The glittering papal jewels, A legendary Egyptian collection, Hidden necropolis, Mystery bones

Another Raphael masterpiece housed by the Vatican is the artist’s renowned painting ‘The Transfiguration,’ made from 1516 to 1520 and once considered the world’s most famous artwork.

A Post-Impressionist's tribute

Treasures beneath the Vatican, Greco-Roman sculpture trove, Astonishing discovery, Ancient Roman athletic portraits, An extravagant bathtub, A sacred manuscript, Crux Vaticana, Ancient Etruscan artifacts, The painting of Jesus, A Post-Impressionist's tribute, Ancient maps of discovery, The glittering papal jewels, A legendary Egyptian collection, Hidden necropolis, Mystery bones

Surprisingly, Vincent van Gogh's 1889 rendition of ‘Pietà’ is preserved in the Vatican's modern art collection. Van Gogh painted the masterpiece just a few months before his tragic death in July 1890, and it remains one of the artist’s few religious pieces.

Ancient maps of discovery

Treasures beneath the Vatican, Greco-Roman sculpture trove, Astonishing discovery, Ancient Roman athletic portraits, An extravagant bathtub, A sacred manuscript, Crux Vaticana, Ancient Etruscan artifacts, The painting of Jesus, A Post-Impressionist's tribute, Ancient maps of discovery, The glittering papal jewels, A legendary Egyptian collection, Hidden necropolis, Mystery bones

The Vatican is also home to the renowned Gallery of Maps, vibrant cartographic masterpieces created during the Renaissance and featuring detailed geographical depictions painted on the walls. The gallery was commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII in 1580, and covers 40 panels spanning 120 meters (393.7 feet).

The glittering papal jewels

Treasures beneath the Vatican, Greco-Roman sculpture trove, Astonishing discovery, Ancient Roman athletic portraits, An extravagant bathtub, A sacred manuscript, Crux Vaticana, Ancient Etruscan artifacts, The painting of Jesus, A Post-Impressionist's tribute, Ancient maps of discovery, The glittering papal jewels, A legendary Egyptian collection, Hidden necropolis, Mystery bones

Stored within carefully guarded vaults are extravagant papal tiaras, crowns, rings, and ornate jewelry, embellished with dazzling diamonds, precious emeralds, and shimmering gold. They truly are symbols of the wealth, authority, and ceremonial prestige historically vested in the leaders of the Catholic Church.

A legendary Egyptian collection

Treasures beneath the Vatican, Greco-Roman sculpture trove, Astonishing discovery, Ancient Roman athletic portraits, An extravagant bathtub, A sacred manuscript, Crux Vaticana, Ancient Etruscan artifacts, The painting of Jesus, A Post-Impressionist's tribute, Ancient maps of discovery, The glittering papal jewels, A legendary Egyptian collection, Hidden necropolis, Mystery bones

The Vatican's Egyptian Museum displays artifacts including meticulously preserved mummies, ornate sarcophagi, intricately carved hieroglyphs, and majestic statues, offering visitors a fascinating window into ancient Egyptian culture, spirituality, and daily life along the banks of the Nile.

Hidden necropolis

Treasures beneath the Vatican, Greco-Roman sculpture trove, Astonishing discovery, Ancient Roman athletic portraits, An extravagant bathtub, A sacred manuscript, Crux Vaticana, Ancient Etruscan artifacts, The painting of Jesus, A Post-Impressionist's tribute, Ancient maps of discovery, The glittering papal jewels, A legendary Egyptian collection, Hidden necropolis, Mystery bones

In the 1930s, excavation work beneath St. Peter's Basilica unveiled a hidden necropolis featuring pagan mausoleums, dating centuries before medieval times. This discovery significantly altered the historical understanding of Vatican City's early religious significance.

Mystery bones

Treasures beneath the Vatican, Greco-Roman sculpture trove, Astonishing discovery, Ancient Roman athletic portraits, An extravagant bathtub, A sacred manuscript, Crux Vaticana, Ancient Etruscan artifacts, The painting of Jesus, A Post-Impressionist's tribute, Ancient maps of discovery, The glittering papal jewels, A legendary Egyptian collection, Hidden necropolis, Mystery bones

Human bone fragments discovered near the inscribed wall beneath the altar belonged to a man aged between 60 and 70 years. Given historical records indicating Peter's age during crucifixion, scholars speculate these could indeed be his remains.

Post Related