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Meandering by the Piazza della Minerva, one may quickly get distracted by the elephant statue seemingly holding an obelisk (which is an interesting story on its own). But then, if all focus is on the big-eared animal, an equally unique landmark may also be missed. Hidden in a corner of the ancient piazza lies a storefront that has housed its business for over three centuries. Working towards a higher calling than the average tailor shop, some would say this workplace is “divinely” ordained.
Founded by Giovanni Antonio Gammarelli in 1798, Gammarelli has had the privileged distinction of being the tailor for Vatican City, and more specifically, for the head of the Catholic Church. Serving around sixteen Popes throughout its history, the storied tailor shop has also dressed many a cardinal or clergyman looking for fine vestments.
Traditionally, when a new Pope is about to be selected, the tailors of Gammarelli will expertly craft Papal vestments and cassocks in three sizes and give them in labeled boxes to the Vatican. This is done in order to make sure that whoever is chosen they’ll be in form-fitting vestments for their first time in public. Famous in Gammarelli lore, they correctly predicted that Angelo Roncalli, Pope John XXIII, would be elected pope and created a size that would fit him. In the rush of excitement surrounding the announcement of the new Pope, however, papal attendants missed the custom cassock box for Roncalli and instead clothed him in a smaller size that had to be held together in the back with safety pins. Oops!
Now in its 6th generation of family ownership, Gammarelli is run by three cousins, including its first female owner, Alessandra Gammarelli. While they didn’t create new duds for Pope Leo XIV (the Vatican re-used leftover cassocks from 2013), the workshop is at the ready for its next “holy” order.
