The Tomb of St Peter the Apostle

The Tomb of St Peter the Apostle is the original and still functioning tomb of the apostle Peter, and is located on the Via Crucis leading up to the Colosseum in Rome.

  The walls are plain brick and are lined check  with some statuary, one of which shows Peter at the head of a large band of fellow apostles in traditional Roman soldier's garments, wielding weapons.   The tomb was built in the 1st century AD as part of the Via dei Fori Imperiali, but was closed during the reign of Nero.   After falling into neglect, during the 3rd century, a new tomb, designed by Basilio Cesarini, was erected at the location, using elements of the old.   Over the centuries, tomb No.   20 has undergone considerable degradation, and is now fenced off and protected by a modern iron grille.   Only a small area of the original structure remains