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The Necropolis
The Vatican Necropolis lies beneath St. Peter's Basilica, sealed for sixteen centuries under the Constantinian church before excavations began in 1939. The site contains Roman mausolea dating from the second and third centuries, early Christian burials, and what is believed to be the tomb of St. Peter – over which Constantine built his basilica and Michelangelo later centred his dome. Access remains tightly restricted.
Sr Judith Zoebelein
founder of the Vatican Website
“What is most striking about Michael Luke Davies is not just his technical skills, nor his ability to film, nor his craft in composing a presentation. It is rather his “outside-the-box” creativity, that is, to see in a proposal or project much more than meets the normal eye. His artistic ability to present already interesting material in a stunning way that captures interest and curiosity is what, it in my opinion, is his greatest asset and gift to anyone with whom he works. He designed for the Vatican Web site the first virtual visit of the excavations under St Peters Basilica. He helped develop the film for the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate and supported some of our more difficult website constructions. Truly an artist!”
The Necropolis
The Vatican Necropolis lies beneath St. Peter's Basilica, sealed for sixteen centuries under the Constantinian church before excavations began in 1939. The site contains Roman mausolea dating from the second and third centuries, early Christian burials, and what is believed to be the tomb of St. Peter – over which Constantine built his basilica and Michelangelo later centred his dome. Access remains tightly restricted.
Sr Judith Zoebelein
founder of the Vatican Website
“What is most striking about Michael Luke Davies is not just his technical skills, nor his ability to film, nor his craft in composing a presentation. It is rather his “outside-the-box” creativity, that is, to see in a proposal or project much more than meets the normal eye. His artistic ability to present already interesting material in a stunning way that captures interest and curiosity is what, it in my opinion, is his greatest asset and gift to anyone with whom he works. He designed for the Vatican Web site the first virtual visit of the excavations under St Peters Basilica. He helped develop the film for the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate and supported some of our more difficult website constructions. Truly an artist!”
The Necropolis
The Vatican Necropolis lies beneath St. Peter's Basilica, sealed for sixteen centuries under the Constantinian church before excavations began in 1939. The site contains Roman mausolea dating from the second and third centuries, early Christian burials, and what is believed to be the tomb of St. Peter – over which Constantine built his basilica and Michelangelo later centred his dome. Access remains tightly restricted.
Sr Judith Zoebelein
founder of the Vatican Website
“What is most striking about Michael Luke Davies is not just his technical skills, nor his ability to film, nor his craft in composing a presentation. It is rather his “outside-the-box” creativity, that is, to see in a proposal or project much more than meets the normal eye. His artistic ability to present already interesting material in a stunning way that captures interest and curiosity is what, it in my opinion, is his greatest asset and gift to anyone with whom he works. He designed for the Vatican Web site the first virtual visit of the excavations under St Peters Basilica. He helped develop the film for the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate and supported some of our more difficult website constructions. Truly an artist!”
The Necropolis
The Vatican Necropolis lies beneath St. Peter's Basilica, sealed for sixteen centuries under the Constantinian church before excavations began in 1939. The site contains Roman mausolea dating from the second and third centuries, early Christian burials, and what is believed to be the tomb of St. Peter – over which Constantine built his basilica and Michelangelo later centred his dome. Access remains tightly restricted.
Sr Judith Zoebelein
founder of the Vatican Website
“What is most striking about Michael Luke Davies is not just his technical skills, nor his ability to film, nor his craft in composing a presentation. It is rather his “outside-the-box” creativity, that is, to see in a proposal or project much more than meets the normal eye. His artistic ability to present already interesting material in a stunning way that captures interest and curiosity is what, it in my opinion, is his greatest asset and gift to anyone with whom he works. He designed for the Vatican Web site the first virtual visit of the excavations under St Peters Basilica. He helped develop the film for the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate and supported some of our more difficult website constructions. Truly an artist!”
Overview
Michael Luke was granted independent access to photograph the Necropolis for the official Vatican website and its first virtual tour, often working in close proximity to St. Peter’s Tomb. The project was commissioned by Vatican officials, with production supported by Buckfast Abbey.




































© 2025 Native Multimedia
All rights reserved
© 2025 Native Multimedia
All rights reserved
© 2025 Native Multimedia
All rights reserved
© 2025 Native Multimedia
All rights reserved