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Mamertine Prison (Carcere Mamertino, Carcer Tullianum) was the only prison in ancient Rome.
When someone received a death sentence, they were sent here to await execution. Although there is no proof, legend says that the apostle’s Peter and Paul were also detained in this prison. They began their journey to martyrdom from this prison: Paul toward the Aquae Salviae and Peter toward the Circus of Nero near the Vatican. In honor of Peter, a small altar has been erected in the Carcer.
What you Need to Know before Visiting Mamertine Prison
What was the Mamertine Prison known for?
Is Mamertine Prison worth visiting?
How long was Peter inside Mamertine’s prison?
How did Saint Peter escape from prison?
Were Peter and Paul in the same prison?
Why were Peter and Paul executed in different ways?
Carcer Tullianum
Before being part of the prison, the Tullianum was a structure linked to the water element. Water that reaches the ground arising out from the dark depths of the earth; water that comes out from a “hole” (spring) which allows “what was down” to interact with “what was up” (and vice versa).
It is thought that the Carcer-Tullianum wasn’t just a “public” building but still had, somehow, a religious aspect since votive objects, dating from when it was a unique structure with the Carcer, were found inside the Tullianum.
Read about where is the Vatican church.
Interesting Facts
- Originally called Tullianum, Mamertine Prison was constructed between 500 and 600 BC.
- It was initially a cistern from long ago rather than a prison. Later, it was transformed into a jail with two cells stacked on top of one another. A tiny door on the floor of the upper cell served as the entry to the lower cell.
- The prison was in use until the 4th century, and in the 16th century, the church of San Giuseppe dei Falegnami was built on top of the prison.
- According to Christian legend, Saints Peter and Paul were imprisoned at the Mamertine Prison. According to these stories, Peter made a spring to baptize the guards and other prisoners in his cell.
My Experience at Mamertine Prison
Walking to the Mamertine Prison from Via dei Fori Imperiali was convenient and scenic, allowing me to bypass the Forum of Caesar and soak in the historical ambiance.
For true Christians and history enthusiasts, this site is a profound experience, offering a close connection to the history of St. Peter. The atmosphere inside is somber yet captivating, making it a must-visit for those seeking to deepen their understanding of early Christian history.
You will also be interested in reading about the Basilica of Saint Paul outside the walls and St Peters Square.
Liberation of Peter in Art
Acts of the Apostles, chapter 12, describes an event known as the liberation of the apostle Peter, in which an angel liberates him from prison. Even though the story is briefly mentioned in the scripture, it has inspired several works of art and theological discussions.
St. Peter in Prison (The Apostle Peter Kneeling) by Rembrandt
The apostle Peter is depicted in his cell after being arrested in Jerusalem in a 1631 painting St. Peter in Prison (The Apostle Peter Kneeling) by Rembrandt.
He is illuminated by a shaft of soft, golden light that emanates from an unseen source and completely obscures a huge portion of the artwork. Nonetheless, the saint’s distinguishing feature is immediately apparent: two metal keys that represent the keys to the kingdom of Heaven that Jesus bestowed on him and, in this context, alluding to the irony of his imprisonment. This painting is located in Leiden, Holland.
The Liberation of Saint Peter by Antonio de Bellis
The Liberation of Saint Peter is one of the most famous artworks of the artist. Antonio de Bellis (c. 1616 – c. 1656) was an Italian painter from Naples, active in the Baroque period.
He was one of the essential artists working in Naples in the first half of the seventeenth century, along with Jusepe de Ribera, Bernardo Cavallino, and Massimo Stanzioni. Caravaggio mainly influenced the painter.
Saint Peter Enthroned Between Saint Paul and the Faithful by Jacopo di Cione
Saint Peter Enthroned Between Saint Paul and the Faithful (1370-1371) by Jacopo di Cione painting is inside the Pinacoteca of the Vatican Museums.
The artist was an Italian Gothic period painter in the Republic of Florence.
Saint Peter in Tears by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
Saint Peter in Tears by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo dates to c.1650-1655.
It is an oil on canvas that is nowadays located in the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum (bilbaomuseoa.eus).
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