Teutonic Cemetery

The Teutonic Cemetery seen from above, in the courtyard of Collegio Teutonico. Teutonic Cemetery Location on a map of Vatican City

The Teutonic Cemetery (Italian: Cimitero Teutonico) is a burial site adjacent to St. Peter's Basilica directly adjacent to Vatican City and owned by the Holy See, but on Italian territory.

Located where once stood the Circus of Nero, during the period of the Roman Empire, it was the site of the martyrdom of many of the early Christians of the city.

During the Middle Ages, a school was built at the site, supposedly by the Emperor Charlemagne. In the 15th century, it became dedicated to the German-speaking residents of the city. There are two institutes of study and two chapels attached to the cemetery, one being the burial place of the Swiss Guards who fell in defense of the city against the forces of the new Kingdom of Italy in 1870.

Modern use

Cimitero Teutonico at Collegio Teutonico.

In recent times, the cemetery was reserved for the burial of German-speaking members of the various religious institutions in Rome.^[1] In February 2015, Willy, a homeless Belgian man was buried in the cemetery, with the financial assistance of a German family, after approval by Pope Francis and reflecting his maxim that he wants "a poor church, for the poor".^[2]

See also

• Collegio Teutonico
• Index of Vatican City-related articles

References

Vatican City articles Sovereign territory of the  Holy See History History of the papacy Papal States Duchy of Rome Donation of Sutri Donation of Pepin "Prisoner in the Vatican" Lateran Palace Circus of Nero Old St. Peter's Basilica Savoyard era First Vatican Council Lateran Treaty Second Vatican Council Geography Apostolic Palace Castel Gandolfo Domus Sanctae Marthae (Pope Francis' residence) Gardens Mater Ecclesiae Monastery (Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's residence) Paul VI Audience Hall Passetto di Borgo St. Peter's Basilica St. Peter's Square St. Peter's tomb Sistine Chapel ceiling Vatican Hill Vatican Museums Historical Museum Modern Religious Art Vatican Necropolis Politics Politics Pope List of sovereigns Elections Foreign relations Pontifical Commission Pontifical Council Fundamental Law of Vatican City State (Vatican Constitution) Government Roman Curia Secretariat of State Vicar General Law Crime Military Corpo della Gendarmeria Swiss Guard Economy Banking Communications .va [Internet domain] Secretariat for the Economy Tourism Transport rail Culture Academy of Sciences AT telescope observatory Anthem Catholic Church Coats of arms Demographics Flag Languages Media Secretariat for Communications newspaper radio television information service Music National football team Philatelic and Numismatic Office Public holidays Vatican Cricket Team Vatican Library film secret archives Outline Index Category Portal WikiProject

Coordinates: 41°54′05.04″N 012°27′15.84″E / 41.9014000°N 12.4544000°E / 41.9014000; 12.4544000