Mysterious catacombs of Rome: the underground world of early Christianity

Beneath the soil of Rome there is an underground city that holds a thousand-year history, layers of civilization preserved from the elements. In this underground world that seems like the access to a dimension outside of time, among finds and subterranean paths  you will find the Christian catacombs of Rome, still perfectly intact.

Labyrinthine tunnels, very long galleries, dark places, sometimes narrow, but extremely suggestive and embellished with frescoes and artifacts. The catacombs were the underground cemeteries of Rome, created by the Early Christians to bury the dead and escape persecution. Descend into the thousand-year-old belly of Ancient Rome and come with us to discover the mysterious catacombs!

In Ancient pagan Rome the custom was to cremate the deceased, contrary to this the Christian religion obliged its followers to bury the dead, this is how the early Christians around the 2nd century AD began to use private land made available by families for their burials. Over time they became real underground cemeteries and were used until the 5th century AD. The catacombs were located outside the city walls, because Roman law prohibited burials inside the city, even today, despite the city having expanded, we find the catacombs located in pleasant places, in the uncontaminated greenery of nature.

It was not easy for the early Christians in the Ancient Rome and during the period of persecution the catacombs were also used as a refuge, since it was difficult to locate the entrances and if you did not know the tortuous internal maze well, there was the risk of getting lost. A visit to the labyrinthine tunnels of the catacombs could be an electrifying and unique experience, these silent and fascinating places preserve stories, legends and incredible artefacts that have been preserved over time.

Underground Rome attractions are countless, in the capital of Italy there are more than 60 catacombs, hundreds of kilometers of tunnels and passages; however, only a few are open to the public. The early Christian catacombs of Rome were built along the consular roads, such as the Via Appia, the Via Ostiense, the Via Labicana, the Via Tiburtina, and the Via Nomentana. If you want to take a Rome catacombs tour we recommend to start with the Catacombs of San Callisto which are rightfully considered the most important Christian catacombs of Rome, both for their size and for their perfect state of preservation. The catacombs of San Callisto are located on the Via Appia Antica.

Also on the Via Appia Antica you will find the catacombs of San Sebastiano. From an artistic point of view, the Catacombs of Santa Priscilla, located on the Via Salaria, are very suggestive and preserve one of the first representations of the Virgin Mary. We continue our tour with the Catacombs of Santa Tecla, compared to the previous ones they are small and simple but they are famous because of a splendid fresco depicting Jesus, in one of the few portraits that shows him with a beard, they are located on the Via Ostiense and are the most appreciated by archaeologists. The last destination that we suggest are the Catacombs of Pretestato on the Via Appia Pignatelli, from an iconographic point of view this is one of the richest in Rome.

Inside the Catacombs, since the 2nd century, an extremely simple art has developed, both narrative and symbolic, whose function was that of a cognitive and linguistic instrument of the Christian religion. Mosaics, paintings and reliefs of the sarcophagi tell stories of the old and new testament. Symbolic drawings are also represented to express with simplicity difficult concepts especially for new converts, such as the Fish to indicate Christ, or the Dove to mean the peace of heaven. In all the catacombs you can admire paintings and inscriptions, but here we point out the most appreciable ones.

One of the most important frescoes, as already mentioned, is one of the first depictions of the Virgin Mary found in the Catacombs of Santa Priscilla, also in these catacombs worthy of note is a splendid fresco with the Nativity and the adoration of the Magi and in a small burial chapel one of the first depictions of the Eucharist, that is, the act of breaking the bread. Very interesting are the inscriptions preserved in the Crypt of the Popes, inside the Catacombs of San Callisto, here are the inscriptions with the names of the first pontiffs. Finally, as anticipated before the fresco of Jesus present inside the Catacombs of Santa Tecla.

Descending into the incredible underground world of the catacombs is undoubtedly one of those experiences that leaves its mark. At the lowest points, the catacombs are more than 20 meters below ground level, the humidity is high and the temperature is around 16° Celsius, so we recommend that you dress appropriately and wear closed and comfortable shoes; also remember that the catacombs are considered a sacred place.

The catacombs can only be visited through a guided tour that will take you exclusively into the safe tunnels, so there is no risk for your visit to the catacombs. Booking a tour of the catacombs is easy, you can do it directly at the entrance, visits leave every half hour. Or to avoid unnecessary waiting or last-minute surprises you can book the catacombs tour directly online. The visit will last approximately 40 minutes.

If you are passionate about antiquities and mysteries, a visit to the Catacombs is highly recommended. You will discover through the words of an expert guide the history and incredible anecdotes of the Early Christian burial sites in Rome. Below we recap all the catacombs we have told you about with addresses, days and opening hours:

Catacombs of San Callisto: 

Via Appia Antica 126

Open from Thursday to Tuesday, from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00

Catacombs of San Sebastiano:

Via Appia Antica 136

Open from Monday to Saturday, from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00.

Catacombs of Santa Priscilla:

Via Salaria, 430

Open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00.

Catacombs of Santa Tecla:

Via Silvio D'Amico, 27

These catacombs are generally closed to the public, they perform extraordinary openings and by reservation

Catacombs of Pretestato:

Via Appia Pignatelli, 11

These catacombs are generally closed to the public, they perform extraordinary openings and by reservation

Rome is a big metropolis, to organize your trip easily we suggest you consider the Visit Rome Pass, a single card that includes access to the main attractions and unlimited use of public transport in Rome.