- On 12/29/2024
- In curiosity
- Tags: Vatican Museums
VATICAN MUSEUMS, A SPECIAL BUNKER FOR ART
During the tumultuous years of World War II, the Vatican Museums played an extraordinary role in preserving the Italian cultural heritage. When the threat of the war loomed large over Europe, countless masterpieces were secretly moved to the Vatican and hidden away in secret chambers. A resilient man, called Emilio Lavagnino, started secret negotiations with the Vatican State to move masterpieces such as sculptures, paintings, and goldworkings from all over the churches of the Lazio. Lavagnino travelled several times within little cities, for example, Viterbo, Rieti, Tarquinia, Civitavecchia, Sutri, and Fondi, to collect the works which had to be secretly moved towards Rome. When the war struck some of those little cities, at least their art had been saved.
This daring operation ensured that some of the world’s most iconic artworks survived the conflict, emerging unscathed when peace finally returned. The Vatican, a symbol of spirituality, became a beacon of hope for art lovers around the globe thanks to the job of Emilio Lavagnino. And nowadays, you can see with your own eyes this sign of the time, saved by one brave man for the cultural pleasure of the humankind of the future. Book now your Vatican Museums Skip-The-Line Tickets and beat the crowd during the Christmas Season!