The "Nassa del Pescatore" in memory of Saint Peter

The realization by the Service of Gardens and Environment of the Governorate

In honour of the first Pope, the Garden and Environment Service of the Directorate for Infrastructure and Services of the Governatorate of Vatican City State has renewed a tradition that dates back to the end of the 18th century and was not resumed since 2017. 

Since the evening before the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, the so-called "Fisherman’s Nest" has been hung on the two white columns of African marble in the central gate of the Vatican Basilica in memory of the Prince of the Apostles' trade.

It is a metal alloy structure in the shape of a fish net, that is an ancient fishing instrument composed of a funnel and a net where the fish remains trapped, attracted to its interior by a bait. It is a reminder of the fish that fishermen from Lake Tiberias used to leave out in the evening and catch up at dawn to catch their catch and replace the bait.

This bowl, which is hung at the end by two ropes, is entirely covered with twigs of leaves of aromatic plants. To the central body are tied 500 bouquets of myrtle (myrtus tarentina), while along the ropes are tied 400 bouquets of laurel (laurus nobilis). Rafael Tornini, head of the Garden and Environment Service, explains how the realization is a very demanding work involving about ten people. In fact, the first step, already a week before 29 June, is the cutting of the myrtle of Taranto which is found abundantly at the edge of the forest of the Vatican Gardens. After cutting, the foliage is taken to the main service site in the heart of the Gardens and subjected to a sorting and washing operation. With scissors, cut off the leaves too young, because they would rot in a short time.

This is used to prepare small bundles of fruit which are then immersed in a water tank and transferred to a cold store. Laurel is bought, because in the Vatican Gardens there are not enough plants to supply the necessary quantity. The same treatment is applied to the laurel.

Two days before the feast, the cage is placed under a large canopy and fixed laterally to two steel rings. There, at man’s height, two gardeners attack with iron wire the clusters of myrtle, while other employees hold the structure. Not only on the outside, but also inside everything is covered with aromatic leaves that give off a characteristic scent.

Meanwhile, the two ropes are stretched out and anchored to other steel rings and two gardeners cover them with a meticulous operation of laurel bouquets. Once everything is arranged, with a van, the nassa is brought to the Parvis of the Vatican Basilica and hoisted to hang it on the marble columns, symbolically representing the two Apostles Peter and Paul, foundations of the Church.

The Garden and Environment Service, to celebrate and honor Saint Peter, has also taken care of the floral decorations that are placed in front of the altar of the Confession in the basilica and the statue of the first Pope.