Column from the Constantinian Basilica.
Fourth Century

The spiral column was known as the "Holy Column" because Jesus is said to have leaned against it in the temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. Actually, it is from the fourth century AD and belonged to the first basilica erected by Emperor Constantine where the tomb of St Peter was located, near the Circus of Nero, the place of the Apostle's martyrdom between 64-67 AD. Over the original grave Pope Anacletus had a "trophy" erected in the second century, as was confirmed by the archeological excavations carried out from 1941 to 1943 under the Vatican Grottoes.

A few of the many items on display in the Treasury Museum