<P> The Vatican Necropolis lies under the Vatican City , at depths varying between 5 -- 12 meters below Saint Peter 's Basilica . The Vatican sponsored archeological excavations ( also known by their Italian name scavi ) under Saint Peter 's in the years 1940 -- 1949 which revealed parts of a necropolis dating to Imperial times . The work was undertaken at the request of Pope Pius XI who wished to be buried as close as possible to Peter the Apostle . It is also home to the Tomb of the Julii , which has been dated to the third or fourth century . The necropolis was not originally one of the underground Catacombs of Rome , but an open air cemetery with tombs and mausolea . </P>
<P> The Vatican Necropolis lies under the Vatican City , at depths varying between 5 -- 12 meters below Saint Peter 's Basilica . The Vatican sponsored archeological excavations ( also known by their Italian name scavi ) under Saint Peter 's in the years 1940 -- 1949 which revealed parts of a necropolis dating to Imperial times . The work was undertaken at the request of Pope Pius XI who wished to be buried as close as possible to Peter the Apostle . It is also home to the Tomb of the Julii , which has been dated to the third or fourth century . The necropolis was not originally one of the underground Catacombs of Rome , but an open air cemetery with tombs and mausolea . </P>
what is the vatican built on top of
what is the vatican built on top of
Vatican Necropolis
Vatican Necropolis