After a year of closure, the Early Christian Basilica of St. Vigilius in Trent reopens

On Monday, January 9, 2023, the Early Christian Basilica of St. Vigilius, located in the basement of Trento’s St. Vigilius Cathedral, will reopen to visitors. The Basilica was closed throughout 2022 for restoration work involving the eastern part of the Cathedral that blocked access the Basilica below.

Its remains were unearthed between 1964 and 1977. The ancient place of worship (Saints Sisinius, Martyrius and Alexander, killed in Val di Non by pagans in 397, and later Vigilius, the third bishop and patron of Trent, were first buried here) originally functioned as a cemetery basilica; it became a cathedral church between the 9th and 10th centuries.

Inside, one can see the earthen floor tombs, all converging toward that of the patron saint Vigilius, the mosaic decoration near the presbytery enclosure, some fragments of the carved plutei, and the tomb slabs of those who were buried here. In the center of the hall is the famous"ark of St. Vigilius," dating back to the 11th-12th centuries: a special funerary monument that once housed the remains of the city’s patron saint. A number of much later tombstones are currently arranged in this space, the most significant of which is that of Prince-Bishop Udalrico Frundsberg, who died in 1493.

The Early Christian Basilica is accessible from under the Cathedral’s high altar at the corner of the north transept daily from 10 a.m. to noon and 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sundays from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed every Tuesday.

Tickets: Full 3 euros, reduced (for visitors aged 15 to 26, over 65, conventioned) 2 euros; 7 euros Early Christian Basilica + Museo Diocesano Tridentino, 5 euros Early Christian Basilica + Museo Diocesano Tridentino. Free admission for children up to 14 years old.

Trentino Guest Card holders are entitled to free admission to the Museum.

After a year of closure, the Early Christian Basilica of St. Vigilius in Trent reopens

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