The Confession, a semicircular, outdoor dugout, was designed and decorated by Carlo Maderno in 1600 between the floors of the old and the new basilica.
In 1979 an arch was built so that the Confession would be visible from the Vatican Holy Grottoes as was the case in earlier times when it could be seen from the nave of Constantine’s basilica
(“Confession” indicates the burial place of those who continued to “confess” their true faith even though this led to martyrdom).
