The dark side of Rome from Civitavecchia

TERMINAL CRUISE SHUTTLE BUS is the meeting point where We will pick up you and start the transfer to Rome

Start the guided tour to San Sebastiano catacomb the most ancient Christian Cemetery of Rome (I centrury d.c.). This cemetery was originally called "ad catacumbas" that means "near the hollows", because of the mines of tuff located in this area. The name was later used generally to indicate all subterranean Christian cemeteries. A professional guide show and explain you evertything about the catacomb. After visit San Sebastiano the tour continued and we arrive to the catacomb of San Callisto the largest and most important in Rome. In the first century Rome's Christians did not have their own cemeteries.If they owned land, they buried their relatives there, otherwise they resorted to common cemeteries, where pagans too were buried. Only In the third century they are declared among as the official cemetery of the church of Rome. S. Sebastiano and S. Callisto were considered as the authentic sanctuaries of the martyrs in fact many of them were buried there with also sixteen Pontiffs. The catacoms appear to be a labyrinths of narrow tunnels dug in the volcanic tuff stone with marked symbols. Symbols were a visible reminder of their faith and recalls an idea or a spiritual reality Different types of tombs can be found along the walls spread over three different deep levels with about 12 km of tunnels. The tombs of the first Christians were simple and economical: the bodies were wrapped in linen shrouds placed in the tombs and sealed with terracotta tiles or marble's slabs. After the visit you can relax at the beautiful garden outside and take some free time. At about 14 PM we will start to come back to the port of Civitavecchia