From 17th-23rd November, our researchers Fernanda Olival, Teresa Ferreira, Joana Palmeirão and Ana Curto travelled to Rome for an intensive fieldwork campaign to conduct archival research at the Vatican Apostolic Library and the Archives of the Vicariate of Rome. This campaign primarily focused on uncovering historical records related to the corpi santi sent to Portugal from the 16th century onward. They explored several critical gaps, including:
Who requested these relics?
Were they assembled in Rome before being sent, or was this process done entirely in Portugal?
What procedures governed their transport and delivery?
More updates on the findings from this research mission are coming soon!