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Rome Underground Catacombs and Crypts

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Rome, Italy
Walking ToursArts & CultureAttractionsSightseeing ToursPilgrimage Or Religion
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About this activity

Descend into Rome's vast network of underground catacombs—ancient burial chambers carved beneath the city streets where early Christians, slaves, and nobles were interred when city burial laws forbade it. Explore 1,500+ years of history across two of four major sites (Domitilla, San Callixtus, Priscilla, or Saint Sebastian), including papal crypts, martyr tombs, and intricate decorative chambers.

Important: Depending on different closing days, you will visit two catacombs between Domitilla’s, Saint Sebastian’s, Priscilla’s, San Callixtus's Catacombs.
Discover the ancestral and underground area of Rome.You can admire several burial chambers and various pagan burial sites. These places were formerly used as burial grounds because it was forbidden to bury or cremate corpses in the city. 

You can 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 (the Crypt of the Popes). You will also admire the Crypt of St. Cecilia: the popular patron of music, she was martyred and entombed where the statue now lies. 

Domitilla's catacombs are one of the most extensive catacombs in Rome, they are spread over 17 kilometers of underground caves, some of which are inaccessible, and they are situated over 16 meters underground. Some Christians have built these catacombs in the Ardeatina's area, after Domitilla had been banished in the III century. There are about 150000 burials, some of them are decorated.

Saint Sebastian's catacombs, situated in Via Appia, are very important because historians believe that this place had hosted Saints Peter and Paul bodies. They are located in a slope that has always been used as a cemetery also before Christianism; later it was converted in a cemetery for slaves and freedmen. 

Priscilla's catacombs are one of the most ancient underground cemetery. The first burials should go back to the second half of the II century AD and because of the big amount of graves in it, it is called "regina catacombarum". This cemetery was ransacked around the XVI century so there are no tombstones, coffins and tuff, nevertheless there are many well-preserved paintings.

Highlights

  • Walk through San Callixtus—Rome's largest and oldest Christian cemetery, official burial ground of the Church with 500,000+ tombs
  • Visit the Crypt of the Popes and Crypt of Saint Cecilia, patron saint of music and Christian martyr
  • Explore Domitilla's catacombs spanning 17km underground at 16m+ depth with decorated burial niches
  • Discover Saint Sebastian's complex on Via Appia, believed to have held remains of Saints Peter and Paul
  • See rare frescoed chambers and layered burial systems spanning pre-Christian and Christian eras

Insider tips

  • The specific catacombs visited vary by closure dates—ask your guide which two sites you'll explore that day
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a light jacket; underground chambers stay cool year-round (around 10–15°C)
  • Go early morning to avoid crowds and experience the sacred silence more fully

Good to know

  • 4-hour walking tour with uneven, narrow passages; not suitable for mobility-limited visitors
  • No flash photography allowed; bring a phone or camera with good low-light capability
  • Meet your guide at a specified location in Rome (confirm exact meeting point upon booking)
  • Tours are English-guided; small groups ensure intimate experience

Who it's for

History and archaeology enthusiastsReligious pilgrims and faith-focused travellersArt lovers interested in early Christian iconography and Roman funerary practicesVisitors seeking off-the-beaten-path Rome experiences

Best time to visit

Visit October–April for cooler weather and fewer crowds underground. Early morning tours (before 10am) offer the most contemplative atmosphere and better lighting conditions.

Frequently asked questions

Available
From€150
per person