Tallianum Prison Museum

The Mamertyński prison is located under the church of St. Józef Cieśli. It is the oldest prison in Rome, and was built in the seventh century BC by King Anco Marzio. There are two levels of caves inside, but the lower area called Tullianum is a rarity. Connected only by a small hole in the ceiling with the upper part of the cell was a place of isolation and death of thousands of people.

Legend has it that the apostles Peter and Paul were imprisoned within the walls of the Mamertin. They were to be captured along with other followers. Apparently, while descending to Tullianum, Piotr hit his head against the wall and left a mark on the stone. In fact St. Paweł was beheaded in Acque Salvie, while Saint. Paul was crucified in the Nero Circus.

During the renovation and excavation works, ancient frescoes were discovered confirming that Tullianum was once a place of worship of St. Peter. The evidence is also a small altar crowned with a bas-relief of a saint baptizing inmates and an inverted cross.