Campo Santo Teutonico, Historic cemetery near St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.
The Campo Santo Teutonico is a cemetery located between St Peter's Basilica and the Paul VI Audience Hall, distinguished by stone gravestones and mosaic stations of the cross. The grounds are well-maintained, with pathways that lead visitors through sections of burials in a calm, organized setting.
Pope Leo IV granted this land to Charlemagne in 799 to establish a school and hospice, marking the beginning of German presence in Rome. The cemetery later became an important burial place for leaders and members of the German-speaking community in the city.
The cemetery serves as a burial ground for German-speaking Catholics, including members of religious orders, scholars, and members of the Archconfraternity. Visitors can read the names and inscriptions on the gravestones, which reflect the religious and academic history of this community.
The cemetery is open to visitors daily without admission fees. Plan your visit during daylight hours and wear comfortable shoes, as the ground can be uneven in some areas.
The cemetery contains soil from Jerusalem, connecting it to early Christian martyrs who died in the circus that once occupied this location. This sacred earth underscores the spiritual link between this burial ground and the roots of Christianity.
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