While it might sound a bit strange or macabre, if you have found a vacation rental in Rome and are planning on spending a Valentine's break in the city, then you have to make time to go and see St. Valentine's skull...
Or, what, at least is claimed to have been the skull of St. Valentine. The tricky part is that there were two saints by that name in Italy at the same time (around the 3rd century AD) and a third in North Africa. After the creation of a feast day for St Valentine on the 14th of February by Pope Gelasius I in 496, the stories of the three seem to have merged together and by the 14th century this singular entity had become a patron saint of lovers, who (according to the newly created mythology) had helped early Christian couples marry in secret.
Or, what, at least is claimed to have been the skull of St. Valentine. The tricky part is that there were two saints by that name in Italy at the same time (around the 3rd century AD) and a third in North Africa. After the creation of a feast day for St Valentine on the 14th of February by Pope Gelasius I in 496, the stories of the three seem to have merged together and by the 14th century this singular entity had become a patron saint of lovers, who (according to the newly created mythology) had helped early Christian couples marry in secret.
It is, therefore, difficult to say exactly whose skull it is that is on display inside the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, as the saint as we know him didn't even actually exist at all in the first place. However, if you and your beloved are in the city around the feast of this fictionalised saint, it might be interesting to pop in all the same and pay a visit. Plus, you can do it as you hit another tourist attraction, the Bocca della Verita, or “mouth of truth”, which is located just outside and was made even more famous when Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck dropped by in, “Roman Holiday,” as they frolicked about the city and fell in love. So much love going about in this one church!
If you're exploring Italy's capital, this quirky little pit-stop is a nice one to pencil in amongst an itinerary of bigger hitters...
If you're exploring Italy's capital, this quirky little pit-stop is a nice one to pencil in amongst an itinerary of bigger hitters...