Mosaics of Ciriaca

This sector takes its name from a series of three mosaics that once decorated tombs in the cemetery of Ciriaca, near the Basilica of St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, along the Via Tiburtina. Next to the mosaics and several sarcophagus fronts decorated with scenes from the Bible, works of a different nature are displayed: a leaden tablet bearing an engraved dedication of the people of Gallic Carnutes, a portion of lead piping with the name of Pope John I (523-526), and an ancient bronze bell from Canino, with a dedication to the Archangel Michael. Finally, a block of travertine, plastered and painted with the figures of two saints, was given to Pope John Paul II in January 1998 by the former mayor of Rome, Francesco Rutelli.