Lentorama 2026: Hic es: aedificia Vaticani

Day 6 - Annona Vatican City, Via del Telegrafo

You may not be surprised that the Vatican has a supermarket - hey, a pope's gotta eat - but this particular market has a uniquely Vatican past.

In 1588, Pope Sixtus V created fifteen permanent congregations in the Vatican. One was the Congregation for the Abundance of the Papal States, whose five cardinals were charged with the provision of foodstuffs for the Vatican and its territories. It was modeled on the Prefect of the Annona, created by Augustus in 7 BC.

This article details some of the changes to the congregation over the years, including the creation of the supermarket after the Vatican became an independent state. The current building, recently renovated, was built in 1931 by old friend Giuseppe Momo.  The market was closed for the renovation, and since reopening is known as Tigre-Annona, reflecting the first-even private management of the store.

One thing that may not have changed in the renovation is who gets to shop. Historically, a pass issued to Vatican employees and clerical personnel was required to shop here. This was likely due to the shop not charging any tax on goods, making some items up to a third cheaper than if bought in Rome.