The Catacombs of San Domitilla

With your English Mother-Tongue Guide. You will enter Rome's underground and explore part of the over 180 miles of tunnels underground outside the city's walls. Descend into the secret underground of early Christian Rome. Hear the stories of religious persecutions and the transition from ancient Pagan Rome into Holy-Roman Christian Rome and all the burial rites and rituals that go along with it. Travel off the beaten path into the massive tunnel system and bring ancient Roman society to life, hearing the stories behind the art and architecture. Show you some of the earliest Christian artworks that you have to see before you leave Rome.

Uncover the secrets hidden the dark depths of the Domitilla catacombs on this guided tour in Rome. Enjoy the convenience of a transfer from a centrally-located meeting point in the city. Learn about early Christian history and see the underground Basilica of Nereus. Meet your guide in the city center and head towards the Appian Way in a comfortable minivan. Reach one of the largest and oldest catacombs of Rome and venture 52 feet (16 meters) below the surface into the otherworldly crypts of Domitilla. Explore its endless maze of underground burial chambers, spread across 4 levels. Be captivated by ancient wall paintings of mythological and biblical figures and discover the religious symbolism of the frescoes. Learn about the shift from paganism to Christianity and hear about early martyrs and persecutions. Live the excitement of gradually exploring different layers of history. Complete your underworld experience in the 4th-century subterranean Basilica of Nereus and Achilleus. Then jump back in the minivan return to the city center.

Get ready to have your assumptions about Rome turned upside down on this incredibly unique journey of discovery. The itinerary includes some of the most uncommon, mysterious and outlandish sites the Eternal City has to offer. Start your experience at Touristation office in Piazza d'Ara Coeli 16 and take the Panoramic Bus to reach the Catacombs. Embark on a fascinating underground tour of the Catacombs, taking you into the unusual history of Rome. Learn about how dating almost 2,000 years to the 2nd century AD, this extensive network of underground tunnels was once a burial ground and a place of worship for the first Christians in Rome. After the guided tour at the Catacombs, the dedicated transfer will bring you to the famous Capuchin Crypt in Via Veneto. Visit on your own with the audioguide. The Crypt is inside a museum attached to the Baroque church of Santa Maria della Concezione, close to Piazza Barberini. Explore the museum collects and exhibits about some significant aspects of the Capuchin friars in general. Learn about the simple lifestyle, closeness to the poor and spirit of fraternity that characterize the religious order, whose history is recounted from its origins in the 16th century to the present day. The Crypt is a singular work of art with a macabre all-Baroque taste, lending it the macabre nickname of "the Bone Chapel". Walk in the long corridor with five chapels, decorated on the vaults and walls with the mortal remains of nearly 4,000 friars dating from between the 16th and the 19th centuries, composed in such a way as to form rosettes, pilasters, stars, hourglasses, clocks and butterflies, chandeliers and crosses. Admire on the walls piled thousands of shinbones, femurs and skulls turned into building materials to create niches and architectural structures that house skeletons dressed in the habit of some of the friars. Each chapel bears the name of the bones with which the decorations were made and contains, according to tradition, holy earth transported here from Palestine or Jerusalem.

The Catacombs of Domitilla, located on via delle Sette Chiese, is one of the largest cemeteries in underground Rome and originates from some burial grounds set up on land belonging to Flavia Domitilla and donated by this to her freedmen. Flavia Domitilla was the grandson of Flavio Clemente, consul of 95 AD, and related to the imperial family. As a Christian, Flavia Domitilla was exiled by Domitian to the island of Ponza, where she died. The catacomb is divided on two main levels. In the so-called Hypogeum of the Flavians, Giovanni Battista de Rossi believed to identify the tombs of the Christian members of the family of Flavia Domitilla, while it is a pagan hypogeum referable between the end of the 2nd and the beginning of the 3rd century, which became Christian and was enlarged mid 3rd century. Towards the end of the third century, the bodies of the martyrs Nereus and Achilleus were placed in a crypt on the second floor which was transformed by Pope Damasus (366-384) into a small basilica, enlarged by Pope Siricius between 390 and 395 until reaching its current size.

Explore 2 contrasting underground sights with an expert guide. Discover a hidden gem 14m below St. Clement’s Basilica and descend into the twisty tunnels of the Roman Catacombs. Meet your guide in front of St. Clement's Basilica and venture deep underground below its foundations into a mystical world of ancient cults and legends. Journey through several layers of history and earth, down to 14 meters below ground. Live the excitement of gradually exploring the later structures built on top of it on your way up to the surface. Go back in time down to the deepest point and discover the best-preserved Mithraic temple of the city. Touch the waters of an underground stream before going higher into the remains of the 4th Century Basilica, built on top of the martyr’s house and below the actual one. Walking along its imposing walls, you will be fascinated by the ancient frescoes while learning about the scenes and lives of the martyrs they portray. Then you will journey outside the city walls to one of the largest and most ancient catacombs, the otherworldly crypts of Domitilla. Descend 16 meters below the surface and explore the accessible part of its vast labyrinth of underground burial chambers and galleries revealing the shift of faith from paganism to Christianity.

Step into the hidden world beneath Rome and explore the Catacombs of San Domitilla, one of the oldest and most extensive underground burial sites. Your journey begins at our Show Me Italy office, located on Via dei Serpenti 114. From there, enjoy a guided tour through part of the vast 180-mile network of tunnels, where early Christians sought refuge and laid their loved ones to rest. As you delve into this fascinating underground world, your expert guide will share captivating stories of religious persecution, burial rituals, and the rise of Christianity in Rome. Marvel at ancient tombs, early Christian artwork, and beautifully preserved frescoes, offering a glimpse into Rome’s past. The tour lasts 2 hours, including transport, and offers a small-group or private experience. Enjoy comfortable round-trip transfers from our central office, with drop-off near Cavour Metro station. Tours are available in English, Spanish, and French. Unlike the crowded city landmarks, this quiet, immersive exploration offers a rare opportunity to discover a lesser-known, yet deeply significant, part of Rome’s history

Skip the line and explore the ancient burial sites of the early Christians on a guided tour of the catacombs of Rome. With your English Mother-Tongue guide you explore the endless tunnels and tombs and see some of the oldest art and artifacts in Rome. Meet your guide in the garden and venture underground to explore the ancient burial sites of the early Christians. Learn about the transition from ancient pagan Rome into Holy Roman Catholic Rome and all the burial rites and rituals that go with it. Visit the Basilica that was built at the end of the 4th century AD above the tomb of the two martyrs Nereus and Achilleu. Then, walk down further to the Best Preserved Catacombs of Rome, which spread over 17 kilometers of underground caves laid out on four levels. See the oldest frescoes in the world that depict Saint Peter and Saint Paul as well as the Last Supper. Learn about the early Christian community of Imperial Rome, and of Catholicism in the city between the 2nd and 9th centuries. End near the Appia Antica where you are free to continue your adventures.

Experience a unique journey through history with a private golf cart tour that showcases the iconic Appian Way, the Catacombs, and Rome’s ancient city walls. Start your adventure with hassle-free pickup from your chosen location in Rome, ensuring a seamless and comfortable start to your day. Your experience begins as you glide past some of Rome’s most famous sights, including the Theatre of Marcellus, the Circus Maximus, and the Baths of Caracalla. Relax in your golf cart as your expert guide shares captivating stories and brief introductions to these iconic landmarks, setting the stage for an unforgettable exploration. Your first stop is the Museo delle Mura, where you’ll enjoy a short guided visit to discover Rome’s ancient defensive walls. From atop the well-preserved Aurelian Walls, take in breathtaking panoramic views and learn about their vital role in protecting the Eternal City throughout history. Next, uncover the roots of Christianity on a 40-minute guided tour of the Catacombs of Rome. Descend into a labyrinth of underground tunnels, exploring early Christian burial sites and uncovering their profound historical and spiritual significance. Back above ground, enjoy a peaceful stroll along the basolato, the ancient stone road of the Appian Way. Hear your guide recount the remarkable history of this legendary route that connected Rome to distant corners of its empire, offering a glimpse into its vital role in ancient commerce and military strategy. Pause to marvel at landmarks like the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella and the Church of San Nicola a Capo di Bove, each steeped in history and surrounded by the enchanting Roman countryside. Conclude your tour with a comfortable return to your starting location, leaving you with a deep appreciation for Rome’s enduring legacy and hidden treasures.

Explore Rome's underground treasures, the Catacombs of Saint Domitilla and the Capuchin Crypts, on a private, all-inclusive journey. With skip-the-line access and a private expert guide, you'll discover the ancient Christian tombs and the bone displays of the Capuchin friars. This private experience is designed for discerning travellers, offering personalized attention and VIP service. Immerse yourself in the rich history of Rome, far from the crowds, for a refined cultural adventure in these sacred spaces. We pick you up at a location of your choice (within the city center), and after a brief check-in, we take an air-conditioned vehicle to reach our first venue, the Catacombs of Saint Domitilla. Dive into Rome’s underground history as you walk through the oldest and best-preserved catacombs, discovering early Christian burial chambers and stunning frescoes. After the first stop, enjoy a short break to relax, use the restroom, or browse the souvenir shop for unique mementos of your visit. The second and last venue is the Capuchin Church of Saint Mary. Buried beneath the church are six crypts, five of which are adorned with the remains of over 3,700 Capuchin friars. Arranged in intricate patterns, these eerie yet fascinating displays serve as a reminder of life’s fragility and the eternal nature of the soul. Your tour ends in the heart of Rome near attractions like Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Palazzo Barberini.

Discover what lies beneath the streets of Italy's capital city on this private tour. In the company of an expert guide, unearth the mysteries of Rome's subterranean spaces, from labyrinthine catacombs to hidden churches. You'll also have a private car and driver at your disposal so you can move between the sites in comfort. First, visit the spooky Catacombs of Santa Domitilla, one of the largest and oldest underground Christian cemeteries in the world. Walk through the twisting tunnels to discover hundreds of thousands of graves, as well as some of the world’s oldest Christian images and the haunting underground church of Santi Nereo ed Achilleo. In the basilica of San Clemente meanwhile, admire astonishing medieval mosaics and some of the most important paintings from the Early Renaissance.  Next, visit the Roman Houses of Saint John and Paul, which are located beneath a Christian church. Here, enjoy an incredible window into daily life in the ancient city. Discover marvelous decorations where pagan imagery and Christian frescoes coexist in harmony in this fascinating villa complex. On Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, instead of the Roman Houses, visit the beautiful basilica of Santi Cosma and Damiano, built right into the Temple of Romulus in the ancient Roman.