Vatican City, 27 May (AKI) - The Vatican on Tuesday presented the results of the recently completed restoration of the Valerii Mausoleum, one of the most important monuments of the ancient Roman necropolis or cemetery located under St Peter's Basilica in Rome (photo).

The mausoleum, which dates from the 2nd century AD and is famous for its stucco decorations, is located at the centre of the ancient necropolis along the route that leads to the tomb of St. Peter.

New illumination, using fibre optic cables, enable visitors to admire the coloured surfaces, frescoed to imitate polychrome marble, and the white stucco decorations, modelled to replicate marble statues.

By studying stucco fragments conserved in the storerooms of St Peter's, the experts also managed to reconstruct busts of the Greek god Hermes.

The monument has been enclosed within a glass cover to allow it to be viewed without upsetting the delicate balance of the necropolis' internal 'microclimate' which is constantly monitored by a high-precision computerised system.

The stuccowork needed restoration because it had been damaged by the damp conditions in the necropolis and by earlier restoration using unsuitable materials.

The ten month project was undertaken by a team of experts specialising in underground restoration. They used scalpels, mini drills and laser equipment in the most delicate areas.

The restoration work was made possible thanks the help of the "Fondazione pro Musica e Arte Sacra", the Vatican said.