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3-4 hours
Walking Tour
Private Tour
Your Hotel
Explore the hidden depths of the Catacombs of Rome on a private Europe Odyssey tour that will take you beneath Rome’s vibrant surface into the Catacombs of Rome, a world frozen in time. Wander through the winding Catacombs of Priscilla, where the echoes of early Christianity resonate along the ancient walls. Here, you will encounter the oldest known frescoes of Mary, silent witnesses to a Rome long past.
Your exploration of the Catacombs of Rome doesn’t stop there. The next chapter of your journey unfolds at the Basilica di San Clemente, a treasure of layered history. Above ground, the modern basilica stands proudly. Below it, the ruins of a 4th-century home church reveal glimpses of early Christian life. Venture even deeper to discover a 3rd-century Mithraeum, an ancient temple dedicated to the god Mithras. Each step reverberates with Rome’s rich history, underscored by the faint rumble of a 1st-century aqueduct flowing beneath your feet.
Rome’s surface holds grandeur, but beneath lies a world waiting to be uncovered. The Catacombs of Rome are not merely burial places; they are an extraordinary testament to faith, survival, and history. As you wander through their cool, quiet tunnels, you will step back into an ancient era, where early Christians carved out a space for worship, remembrance, and resilience.
The Basilica di San Clemente reveals even more of Rome’s hidden stories. Imagine walking through layers of time—each level offering a glimpse into life as it was centuries ago, from pagan rituals in the Mithraeum to Christian gatherings in the early church.
This isn’t just a tour; it’s an invitation to experience Rome’s hidden depths. Walk within history’s echoes, touch the walls that have witnessed centuries of faith and culture, and breathe in the timeless stories buried beneath today’s bustling streets.
Are you ready to descend into the captivating world of the Catacombs of Rome? Book your private tour today and let us guide you on a journey through Rome’s extraordinary underground history.
Children under 7 years of age – Free
The Capuchin Monastery, nestled within the bustle of Rome, offers a starkly unique glimpse into the rituals of mortality.
This friary is famed for its Capuchin Crypt, a series of chapels adorned with the skeletal remains of over 4,000 Capuchin monks, arranged artistically and symbolically. But this is more than macabre art; it serves as a profound reminder of life's ephemeral nature, a memento mori echoed in the inscription: "What you are now, we once were; what we are now, you shall be.
St. Clement's Basilica, at the surface, built during the Middle Ages, is adorned with beautiful mosaics and frescoes. Yet, one level below, the remains of a 4th-century church hint at Rome's early Christian roots.
This space was once devoted to the mystery cult of Mithras, a religion popular amongst Rome's military and civil service in the late Roman Empire. A fascinating feature here is the Mithraic altar, a stone relief depicting Mithras slaying a bull, a sacred rite in Mithraism.
Fact: The Mithraic religion, although widespread, left few written records, making sites like the Temple of Mithras in St. Clement's invaluable for understanding this ancient faith.
The Catacombs of Priscilla, resting quietly beneath the bustling streets of Rome, hold a distinct place in early Christian history. This extensive network of burial galleries, named after the noblewoman Priscilla, served as a sacred burial ground for Christians in the 2nd to 4th centuries.
The catacombs are particularly renowned for their precious 3rd-century frescoes, including what is believed to be the oldest known depiction of the Virgin Mary. The "Madonna and Child" and "The Three Wise Men" frescoes are among the most recognized.
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