Naumachia Vaticana

A 5th century text that recounts the crucifixion of St Peter saying: "Holy men... took down his body secretly and put it under the terebinth tree near the Naumachia, in the place which is called the Vatican"[1] The ruins of a structure were excavated in 1743, between the streets via Alberico and via Cola di Rienzo.

Esther Boise van Deman identified the style of the brickwork facing the naumachia as Trajanic.

[4] The archaeological work reveals it had substantial bleachers (tiered stands for spectators) and the surface was about one sixth the size of the earlier Augustan naumachia.

Two parts of the foundations of the stands, with vaulted corridors and remnants of four rows of seats, have also been found preserved.

In 1932, Jérôme Carcopino reported the discovery among Fasti Ostienses of the dedication by Emperor Trajan on 11 November 109 of a naumachia.