A unique archaeological discovery was made in the center of the European capital

Remains of ancient papal palace found in Rome

Italy's Culture Ministry said Wednesday that remains of what appears to be a medieval palace have been excavated in Rome ahead of renovation work , where the popes lived before they made the Vatican their place of residence.

Photo: cultura.gov.it

Archaeologists in the square in front of the Basilica of St. John Lateran in the city center have discovered a complex architectural structure including walls believed to have protected the Patriarchio, a monumental basilica designed by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, Italy's culture ministry said in a statement.

“This is an extremely important find for the city of Rome and its medieval history, since in our time large-scale archaeological excavations have never been carried out on the square”, – stated in the ministry.

The original structure of the building, built in accordance with Constantine's declaration of toleration of Christianity in the Roman Empire in 313, was expanded in stages between the 9th and 13th centuries, and housed the papal throne until 1305, when it temporarily moved to Avignon in France, the ministry added, tells Reuters.

The area around St. John Lateran is being landscaped ahead of the Jubilee – an annual event that begins in December and is expected to attract more than 30 million pilgrims and tourists to the Italian capital.

During the anniversary, Catholics can receive special indulgences, or absolution, if they meet certain conditions and commit good deeds or pilgrimage, Reuters points out.

Rome's long history of nearly 2,800 years means that road work often leads to archaeological discoveries, Reuters points out.

Other excavations nearby from the Vatican, as part of the construction of a road tunnel ahead of the Jubilee, in recent weeks traces of an ancient Roman «fullonica», or laundry, and a garden with a portico, believed to be used by Emperor Caligula, have been discovered.