09-05-2025
The ancient papal palace discovered under Rome
Archaeologists in Rome have unearthed an ancient palace believed to have housed Popes between the 9th and 13th centuries.
The complex architecture, discovered beneath Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, features walls made of volcanic tuff blocks, some showing signs of restoration.
Researchers suggest the structures may have been part of the Patriarchate, the papal residence before the Vatican, which included a grand reception hall.
The walls, possibly built for defence against Saracens and feuding families, lost their purpose when the papal seat moved to Avignon, France, in 1305.
This discovery, deemed "extraordinarily important", offers valuable insights into Rome's mediaeval history.
