Guided tour

Rome: Underground Temples of St. Clement's Basilica Tour

4.8 / 5

30 reviews

Activity provider: Touriks
Guided tour

Rome: Underground Temples of St. Clement's Basilica Tour

Activity provider: Touriks
Likely to sell out

From US$ 63.93 per person

Likely to sell out

Venture 14 meters below St Clement's Basilica to discover a mystical world of forgotten pagan cults, early-Christian legends and frescoes.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 1 hour
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
French, Italian, Chinese, English, Russian, Spanish, German, Portuguese
Private or small groups available

Experience

Highlights
  • Jump into a surprising exploration close to the Colosseum
  • Venture 14 meters below ground
  • Discover an ancient Mithraic Temple and an underground river
  • Be amazed by the fascinating golden mosaic
  • Enjoy the quality of a private or small group tour
Full description
Cross three layers of history and earth as you venture 14 meters below St Clement's Basilica. Discover the best-preserved Mithraic temple of the City 14 meters underground. Find out about the pagan cult of Ancient Romans before Christianity and be intrigued by its sectarian and esoteric side. Meet your guide after checking in at the meeting point and head towards Rome's best-kept secret. Learn about the early-Christian persecutions, martyrs and hear the legend of St. Clement, while standing in the 1st Century structure that was once his home. Feel the eerie atmosphere and touch the waters of an underground river. Journey higher into the remains of the 4th Century Underground Basilica, built on top of the martyr’s house and below the actual one. Walk along its imposing walls and be fascinated by the ancient frescoes while learning about the scenes and the lives of the martyrs they portray. End your tour in the beautiful 12th-century Basilica at ground level. Marvel at the stunning golden mosaic in the apse, and learn about the hidden symbolism in it.
Includes
  • Underground entrance ticket
  • Live professional guide
  • Sterilised headsets
  • One mask for person if required
  • Full on-site assistance
  • Luggage deposit for the duration of the tour
    Not suitable for
    • People with claustrophobia
    • Wheelchair users

    Select participants and date

    Participants

    Date

    Meeting point

    Meet at the TouriksPoint at Via di San Giovanni in Laterano 132, 15 meters from the Basilica of St. Clement. Please arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled start time.

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    Important information

    What to bring

    • Comfortable shoes

    Not allowed

    • Short skirts
    • Sleeveless shirts

    Know before you go

    • This tour is subject to weather conditions and/or liturgic-calendar events. If canceled you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
    • We suggest you do not trash your empty bottle of water since you can refill it everywhere in Rome for free
    Customer reviews

    Overall rating

    4.8 /5

    based on 30 reviews

    Review summary

    • Guide
      4.8/5
    • Value for money
      4.6/5

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    February 27, 2023

    This was one of the best tours we have done. Paul, our guide, was a history professor and brought a level of knowledge that was fabulous. This site is popular and so a time tour/ticket is helpful.

    January 28, 2023

    Interesting underground view of ancient Christian temple. Very informative of the period, extremely nice marble floors and frescoes on the upper temple. A good view into the early times of the church.

    January 10, 2023

    Product ID: 390177