Mamertine Prison

The Mamertine prison, now covered from the basement of the church of San Giuseppe dei Falegnami, was the first prison in town and played an active role during the roman empire, being part of the roman forum. There, enemies of the empire were arrested and later executed. Inside the Mamertine prison, the apostles Peter and Paul were imprisoned. According to a christian legend, they converted some of the prisoners to the christianism. The facade was built in the early imperial age, covering an older one made up of blocks of tuff. Entering inside, you will see a big room with a hole in the ground, that was the only access to the lower level, the worst. There, prisoners waiting to be executed could spend days or years before the execution. In this area of the roman forum justice were administered.