Malachite Decorations in the Vatican

The polished stone known as malachite is a very rare sight in Rome. It can be seen in the Vatican Basilica with the altar built over the tomb of St. Peter in the Clementine Chapel of the Vatican Grottos. It can also be seen on two altars at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, seen from afar with its vibrant emerald color. 

Malachite is a precious mineral that by definition is a "copper carbonate hydroxide mineral." 

The malachite in the Vatican was given by Czar Nicholas I to Pius IX, having been sourced from the Urals in Russia. Malachite can also be found in a handful of other countries, including Mexico. 

The timing was perfect. Pius IX was a devoted patron of the arts. Like his predecessors, he pledged his munificence to beautify Rome and the Vatican and the Papal States. He did this by supporting architects, painters, sculptures, goldsmiths, coppersmiths, glassmakers, mosaic artists, musicians, and more, etc. He also handed out numerous awards to artists.  

The story of how the malachite came to the Vatican is worth re-telling. After a devastating fire in 1823 destroyed the Basilica of St. Paul, an appeal went out to the world to help re-build it. Catholic faithful and monarchs and heads of state responded, with gifts arriving from all over the world. 

Blocks of malachite arrived from the Emperor of Russia. King Fouad I of Egypt donated columns and fine alabaster for the windows while his Vice-King, Mohamed Ali, donated alabaster columns. Thus, the newly built basilica was made of marbles and stone sourced from across the globe, reflecting the universal nature of the Church. 

The Basilica of St. Paul has two beautiful side altars decorated with malachite. They are lateral transept altars, sometimes overlooked. One is the altar of the Assumption and the other is the altar of the Conversion of St. Paul. 

The altars were designed and completed in the early 1850s and were consecrated on Dec. 10, 1854. on that day, Pope Pius IX decided to consecrate the newly constructed and restored basilica with the bishops of the world who were in town for the Vatican Council. Indeed, the date had been chosen to coincide with Vatican Council I, to allow the bishops of the world the opportunity for the occasion, participating in the elaborate ceremony that included consecrating various altars. 

The Czars were fond of this beautiful stone and used it to decorate their palaces. The Malachite Room is well-known at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. Royal collections often contain beautiful inlaid works made of malachite, ranging from vases to jewelry, many of them diplomatic gifts from Imperial Russia.

A few malachite pieces can also be found in the Vatican Museums, but they are still very rare. 

 

Altar of the Assumption

Altar over the tomb of St. Peter

Decorative stand at Basilica of St. Paul

Malachite detail

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