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Statue of "Peter"

This dark bronze statue used to be lower down and people used to kiss of the large toes (we saw this our first visit). It was kissed so much that the metal wore away so much that that particular toe now is blended in with the rest of the foot. Perhaps for reasons of sanitation, the Romans raised this statue to prevent kissing it. Now, visitors touch the toe instead of kiss it. Some have claimed that this actually is a statue of Juno and not Peter. It is my understanding that if it is Juno, this statue was made after the time of Christ. No one knows what Peter actually looked like and it is not likely that he looked as portrayed by this statue.

back to History of Early Christianity.