My memory fails me and am wondering if anyone can tell me the meaning of the footprints in the cement in the Jewish Ghetto. Not the brass plaques, but the actual footprints. I remember that the plaques indicate where Holocaust victims last lived before being taken from their homes, but don't remember the significance of the footprints. Thank you for any help.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16851 posts
Pat, might you be thinking of the copy of footprints - believed by some of the faithful to be prints of the Christ - that are in the church of Quo Vadis out on the Appia Antica? The original is in the church of San Sebastiano fuori le mura - not far away - and is more accurately an ex voto of gratitude for a journey safely completed by some long-ago pagan Roman.
https://turismoroma.it/en/places/church-domine-quo-vadis-santa-maria-delle-piante
https://corvinus.nl/2019/01/29/rome-san-sebastiano-fuori-le-mura/
Or am I way off?
Posted by
OP
Ind., United States
324 posts
I thought that at first too Kathy. But we didn't visit that church. When I first looked at my photo I thought that it was on the street, but as I took a closer look I believe that they are in the Capitoline Museum. It is what looks like casts of a set of feet each going in opposite directions. Could they be replicas of those that you described? I appreciate you taking the time to respond.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16851 posts
OK, I think you saw another example of plantae pedum at the Capitoline. Take a look at the page on this site with the photo (2nd one down)? Is this what you saw? If so, it's the same sort of votive offering as the other mentioned.
https://imperiumromanum.pl/en/curiosities/carved-footprints-italica/
Posted by
OP
Ind., United States
324 posts
That's it!! Thank you so much Kathy for solving my mystery!
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16851 posts
You're welcome, Pat! I love an interesting treasure hunt! :O)
Funny, we went to the Capitoline some years ago and I don't remember that thingy. Probably because there was soooo much to look at?
Posted by
OP
Ind., United States
324 posts
There certainly is a lot to see in the Capitoline! I think I need another visit! :)