The Phoenix Initiative was Coventry's millennium project, allowing archaeologists to excavate previously unexplored remains of some of the city's richest medieval areas.
At the Priory Visitor Centre on Priory Row, visitors can see displays of some of the finds amongst an exhibition that explains the significance of the area and the project.
听 | ![The Phoenix Gardens](/staticarchive/ec1935228dd4266647e02d6450986e12f6d42e36.jpg) | The Phoenix gardens
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Some of the ruins have been reburried for their protection and over them gardens have been sculpted to reflect the archaeology.
Visitors can enjoy the gardens and see the finds on display at the visitor centre on the site.
The most significant find in 2002 was a second piece of one of the finest medieval wall paintings ever unearthed in the UK.
![quote start](/staticarchive/0fd93ac9bd229df17b2cf71c3432c1796ca968d7.gif) What's been found is a wonderful piece of the medieval wall painting that decorated the Chapter House...It's got faces of people looking up into fiery skies, wings with eyes on them and stars and clouds.
![quote end](/staticarchive/cf83633c621746a439c23c3141ed5554abc25c1f.gif) | 听 | George Demidovic, Coventry City Council's conservation officer
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Parts of the 14th Century picture were discovered by archaeologists digging on the site of the Benedictine Priory, where Lady Godiva is buried.
George Demidovic, Coventry City Council's conservation officer, explained the find:
"What's been found is a wonderful piece of the medieval wall painting that decorated the Chapter House."
The first part of the painting was found last year and ever since hopes have been high that more pieces would be found.
The very rare painting is called the Apocalypse picture and depicts the consequences of not heeding the church, painted around 1360 - 1370.
The first fragment is on display in the visitor centre and the new piece is currently in storage while the archaeologists decide how best to display it.
听 | ![Archaeologists are delighted with the new find](http://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/news/stories/2002/05/02/images/phoenix150.jpg) | Archaeologists are delighted with the find
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Mr Demidovic described the remarkable discovery:
"It's very like the one already in the visitor centre. It's got faces of people looking up into fiery skies, wings with eyes on them and stars and clouds."
The find is very rare in this country because most relics of this type were destroyed during the Reformation.
听 | ![The Phoenix Gardens](/staticarchive/4236df8f29adae5e18441180a73426f0eb927735.jpg) | The Phoenix gardens
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When the Chapter House was destroyed at that time it is believed the fragments were thrown into a pile of rubble beneath the building.
There it has stayed for 200 - 300 years until being discovered.
Opening details
Visit the centre and the gardens, open Monday - Saturday 10am - 5.30pm and Sunday 12 - 4pm. Admission is free.
Follow the link on the left for information about the Priory Visitor Centre.
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