Tomb V

From: 'Roma Sacra - The Vatican Necropolis', © Fabbrica of St Peter's

Only the north west angle of this building is visible, since the sepulchral chamber was completely occupied by the 4th century foundations that also invade mausoleum L on the opposite side. The northern wall is built against the structure of some tombs demolished during the works of Constantine for the construction of the first basilica. The external walls show the typical elegant brick of exposed facedes, with narrow ordered rows of yellow bricks separated by thin mortar joints with traces of colour. These structures, facing a square paved with square bricks and tiles, were in fact, visible to passers-by. The refined brick curtain on the western side was subsequently covered by a layer of plaster with a decoration painted in red.