Hotel de Russie Invites its Guests Inside the Secret Archives of the Vatican

Published Date

Rocco Forte’s Hotel de Russie has partnered with Rome’s Capitoline Museums to announce the most exciting museum display ever to be launched in the antiquity of Rome. For the first time, the ‘Lux in Arcana’ exhibition  - which runs until the end of September – will display documents from the Vatican Secret Archive buried beneath the sea – shedding light on the powerful history of Europe.

The documents describe the inquisition of Galileo Galilei, the case against the Knights Templar and the order for Martin Luther’s excommunication. Also on display is a parchment in Latin with the seal of 83 English Lords , which was found hidden inside a chair in the Vatican in 1926. The “Lux in Arcana” (translation from the Latin: "Light in the Archives") exhibition at Capitoline Museums has been organised by the Vatican to mark the 400th anniversary of the Archive, which was the subject of Dan Brown's post-da Vinci Code blockbuster Angels and Demons. One hundred documents have been selected from thousands covering the 8th to the 20th century.

Other fascinating items on display include the 1493 papal bull granting Spain land discovered by Christopher Columbus and calling for the conversion of the indigenous people of the Americas; a bark letter from the chief of a Native American tribe to Leo XIII expressing gratitude for the arrival of the missionaries and an invoice from Michelangelo for work done.

Only available to guests staying at Hotel de Russie, a 1.5 hours private guided tour of the exhibition can be arranged. This tour can be tailor made, focusing on specific documents of interest to each visitor. 
Hotel de Russie's “Lux in Arcana package” includes:
•    A two-night stay in a double classic room (with upgrade subject to availability) with breakfast
•    Tickets to the exhibition
•    A copy of the official exhibition catalogue

The package starts from approx. AED 2900 per room, per night (10% VAT and city tax excluded) and is based on two people sharing a double classic room for a minimum two-night stay. The private guided tour of the exhibition and the Capitoline Museums costs AED 600 per tour, and offer is valid until September 15th.

For more information or to book T:     8000 65 0592