St Vicente

The official authentication document, held by the Major Seminary of Coimbra, states that the sacrum corpus of St Vicente Martyr was exhumed from the Catacomb of Priscilla in 1760 and offered to D. Miguel da Anunciação, Bishop-Count of Coimbra and founder of the Major Seminary. Issued by Cardinal-Vicar Antonio Maria Erba Odescalchi (Custodian of the Sacred Relics from 1751 to 1773), it records the transfer of the relics by order of Pope Clement XIII and the conditions of their donation.

The simulacrum of St Vicente Martyr lies supine within a glass-fronted Rococo-style altar, measuring approximately 125 × 60 cm. The polychromed wax mask and richly adorned garments—featuring embroidered taffeta, satin, and metal lace—enhance its lifelike appearance and sacred character. Silver gloves and sandals complete the figure, which rests on a blue-draped platform. A Latin inscription on the back wall identifies the martyr and affirms the devotional purpose of the display.

Digital radiography reveals a fragmented cranium with missing facial bones and dentition, though the chin and neck contours remain visible. In the thoracoabdominal area, vertebrae, ribs, and hand bones appear glued together, with poor margin definition. Identifiable bones include parts of the arms, pelvis, and lower limbs, though several elements are displaced. Stabilising wires are visible at the elbows and hips, yet no internal metallic structures typical of Roman simulacra were found. Foot bones are incomplete, with some correctly placed, while others are misaligned.

The simulacrum wears a long tunic made of beige taffeta, embroidered with polychrome silk threads (white, pink, salmon, green, and black), golden and silver leaf, and gilded and silvered wire, forming small floral motifs. On the legs, two rectangular openings stand out, allowing a view of the bones inside. At the waist, over the tunic, there is a wide belt of dark blue satin fabric, decorated at the center with golden braids. Finally, a mantle, fastened around the neck, extends to the feet, covering the shoulders, arms, forearms, thighs, and legs. The simulacrum wears silver metallic lace gloves, and the feet are adorned with open sandals.

Inside the urn, there is a fabric cartouche with an inscription in Latin that can be translated as: “Most Holy Martyr of Christ Vicente”.