” “"Our exhibition will include 65 medals, issued by the Popes between the XV and the XVIII century to celebrate the stages of the building of Saint Peter’s. The most outstanding ones are the so-called ‘foundation’ medals which used to be placed in the foundations of the new basilica": this was explained by Giancarlo Alteri, director of the Numismatics Department of the Vatican Apostolic Library and scientific director of "Tu es Petrus". According to Alteri, "these medals are an important memory for posterity. For example, the medal with Bramante’s design was placed in the foundations of the basilica even if that design was already outdated, and remains the only evidence of such design". Along with the 65 original medals, the exhibition will also showcase the works of three great twentieth-century sculptors, Manzù, Minguzzi and Crocetti, who made the bronze doors of the basilica. "A special trail with an unusual audio commentary has been developed said Michele Palazzetti, general manager of the Numismatics Collections and art director of the exhibition to involve the visitors in the feeling of excitement and bewilderment that caught anyone who had been called to work at the building of Saint Peter’s". After Rome, the exhibition will be taken to Russia, where it will be hosted by the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg from 18th May to 22nd July.” “
