Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Italy Rome Buca Dello Spione

Buca Dello Spione

An 18th-century post box used to alert the church of sick and ailing foreign pilgrims.

Rome, Italy

Added By
Jan Claus Di Blasio
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
The Church of San Salvatore alle Coppelle. The box Is near the bicycle.   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
Close up of the mail slot   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
The anonymous post box with the Italian inscription   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
The inscription hidden behind a car   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

This Place Is a Stub

Help improve this place with additional information or photos.

Make an Edit

About

For those who seek oddities in the center of Rome, the marble inscription on the side of the church of St. Salvatore alle Coppelle is a must-see. In Piazza delle Coppelle the inscription and box reveal the Church authorities' concerns during the Jubilee of 1750.

The massive influx of pilgrims, who packed the city's hotels and inns during this time, brought along concerns about the spread of epidemics across the Papal States. As a result, authorities constructed a number of spy post boxes around the city. The one in Piazza delle Coppelle may be the lone survivor.

As the Italian inscription describes, innkeepers and hoteliers were expected to report any sickly, dying, or dead foreigners and pilgrims by leaving a note in one of the boxes. Heavy sanctions were given to those who did not comply. However, citizens suspicious of the boxes began calling them Buca dello Spione, believing they were used to monitor and track of foreigners. 

Related Tags

Artifacts Roman
Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Italy: Roman Carbonara, Florentine Steak & Venetian Cocktails

Savor local cuisine across Rome, Florence & Venice.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

LatiumMirabile

Edited By

Collector of Experiences, rbenn250, katielou106

  • Collector of Experiences
  • rbenn250
  • katielou106

Published

August 29, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Buca Dello Spione
72b Piazza delle Coppelle
Rome, 00186
Italy
41.900587, 12.476033
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Durandal's Mark

Rome, Italy

miles away

Fontana dei Libri

Rome, Italy

miles away

Il Tempio di Adriano (Temple of Hadrian)

Rome, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rome

Rome

Italy

Places 144
Stories 24

Nearby Places

Durandal's Mark

Rome, Italy

miles away

Fontana dei Libri

Rome, Italy

miles away

Il Tempio di Adriano (Temple of Hadrian)

Rome, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rome

Rome

Italy

Places 144
Stories 24

Related Places

  • Sherborne St John, England

    The Vyne

    Alongside its 16th- and 17th-century architecture and interiors, this mansion houses an Ancient Roman ring that some believe may have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien.

  • Geer, Belgium

    Les Cinq Tombes (The Five Graves)

    A unique collection of five Roman burial grounds right next to the road.

  • Malton, England

    Jet Bear

    This small figurine of a bear tells us a lot about the value of jewels and funerary practices in Roman Britannia.

  • Frontal view of the head of the goddess

    Bath, England

    Head of Sulis Minerva

    The accidental discovery of this gilt bronze head led archaeologists to find the Roman Baths in the city of Bath

  • Glykon statue

    Constanța, Romania

    Glykon

    An ancient Roman snake god, carved expertly into stone.

  • Recreation of remains found directly below.

    Colchester, England

    Colchester’s Roman Circus

    It's believed emperor Hadrian himself funded this once architectural wonder.

  • NoviPark Roman Amphorae

    Modena, Italy

    NoviPark Roman Amphorae

    Hundreds of Roman amphorae are stored in an ususpecting underground parking lot.

  • Eagle Rock

    Edinburgh, Scotland

    Eagle Rock

    A remnant of the Roman army's presence on the coast of Scotland.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.