The back of St. Aurelius’ effigy
When the catacombs were explored in the 18th century, martyrs' remains were sent to European churches to make up for relics and statues destroyed by the Protestant Reformation. Their arrival was met with enthusiasm by believers, who decorated the remains with gold and other precious materials.
+ Credit: © Joana Palmeirão, in Imagem-relicário de Santo Aurélio mártir pertencente à Sé Catedral do Porto (Master’s Thesis, 2015)