Rome: Half–day Catacombs & Crypts Underground Tour

Overview

Take a tour of the ancestral and underground area of Rome. Find out how the catacombs were used in ancient time as a burial area because it was forbidden to bury or cremate corpses in the city. Depending on different closing days, visit Domitilla’s or Saint Sebastian’s or Priscilla’s Catacombs. One of the most important catacombs is Domitilla’s, which takes the name from Flavia Domitilla. Archaeological excavations discovered a cemetery originally composed of different burial chambers.  Hear about how the catacombs of Saint Sebastian were first a pagan burial site, and then reused as a cemetery. Priscilla's catacombs are one of the most ancient underground cemetery, with the first burials dating back to the second half of the 2nd century AD. This cemetery was ransacked around the 16th century so there are no tombstones, coffins, or tuff, nevertheless there are still many well-preserved paintings. Visit the largest and oldest underground cemetery in Rome. The catacombs of St. Callixtus were the official cemetery of the Church of Rome and half a million Christians were buried there among many martyrs and popes. Admire the Crypt of St. Cecilia, the popular patron saint of music, who was martyred and entombed where the statue now lies.