Help Researching Restoration of Sistine Chapel

[emoore]

Hello All,

I apologize if this is a bit off-topic, but I'm really having a hard time finding a resource to answer my question...

I have two floor tiles that were passed down through my family. The first is said to come from the Sistine Chapel and the second is said to come from the Mausoleum. According to the family legend, both pieces were collected in the 1800s by a relative while traveling to these regions, who purchased them from the construction crew who was doing repairs to these locations. I'm trying to research the validity of the legend.

Does anyone know of a resource that can tell me if and when the floors of these locations were repaired/refinished/etc. I'm particularly interested in repairs that occurred in the 1800s.

Thank you in advance for any guidance at all that can help me with my search.

- Erik

[Richard Haut]

I suggest contacting the Vatican themselves:

http://www.vatican.va

heating was installed in the walls of the Sistine Chapel by Pope Leo XIII in the late 1860's (?), but I don't know what other restoration work may have been undertaken.[/url]

[gyotar]

Try carbon dating the said pieces. At least you would have a time frame to go on.

[Kevin]

Maybe the History Detectives will figure it out for you:

http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/

Note link to "Submit Your Mystery"!