The Robbery in April 1848

From the fifth century onwards, the Holy Blood of Christ was kept in two golden reliquaries designed by Bernini and worked by Nicolò of Milan.

In 1848, soldiers from the Austro-Hungarian regiment made off with the reliquaries, which were never found again. Fortunately, it was possible to renew those portions of the relic held for security in the Basilica of Saint Andrew in Mantua.

New vases were made by Giovanni Bellezza and held in custody by the Emperor Francesco Giuseppe who was wholly responsible for their safe-keeping.

The vases are still put on exhibition today.

Every year on Holy Friday the Vases are put on display in the Basilica of Saint Andrew and then carried in procession in the evening for the streets of the town.

In the course of their thousand year history the people of Mantua have maintained a tradition, albeit in different forms, and continue to conserve the relic with great care and reverence.

Luigi Pescasio

[Previous Page] [Italian Version] [Index] [HomePage] [Latin version]