What golden treasure does the San Mamiliano museum in Sovana hold?

The museum San Mamiliano preserves part of a treasure of 498 gold coins, solidi dating from the 5th century. They were discovered in 2004, buried in a container beneath the floor of the old church, in the heart of Sovana. Most were struck under the emperors Leo I and Anthemius, between 457 and 474.

The hoard is said to have been hidden at the end of the 5th century, perhaps during a period of raids and invasions, but the exact reason remains uncertain. It is sometimes linked to the «Montecristo treasure», in reference to the tales and legends associated with the island and Dumas’s novel; however, this connection is merely a hypothesis, not an established identification. Also worth noting: the museum does not display all the recovered coins, and part of the treasure was stolen. The visit also allows you to see remains unearthed beneath the church, notably those of a Roman bath complex.