Planning to Visit Rome Catacombs? Here is What You Need to Know
A tour of the Catacombs of Rome is an excellent way to learn about the darker side of the Eternal City. The areas where the early Christians buried their dead and worshipped amid them are both frightening and fascinating. If you’re considering Rome Catacombs tour as part of your Rome holiday, here’s all you need to know!
What happened to the Rome Catacombs?
In Rome, there are only a few catacombs that are truly exposed to the public. You can walk around them, following in the footsteps of a society that was forced to descend into the city’s bowels to bury their friends and neighbors. Burial niches, honeycomb-style in the walls of the underground passageways, as well as a variety of old artwork, have been left behind.
On the old Appian Way, known in Italian as Via AppiaAntica, you’ll find the (separate) Catacombs of San Sebastian and St. Callixtus. This ancient and important route may be reached by taking the 118 bus from Rome’s city centre.
Sant’Agnese Catacombs are located on Via Nomentana. Take the 66 bus from central Rome to Ojetti/Primoli, then the 337 bus to Nomentana.
Domitilla’s Catacombs are located in Via delleSetteChiese, 282, 00147. In slightly over 10 minutes, take the 218 bus from Porta S. Giovanni to these catacombs!
The Priscilla Catacombs are located beneath Via Salaria, 420, 00199. Take the 92 bus from Volturno/Cernaia in central Rome to reach your destination. The catacombs are accessible in just under 20 minutes.
If the idea of taking Italian public transportation doesn’t appeal to you, join us on a tour of the Roman Catacombs. The tour includes visits to catacombs, a crypt, and a basilica, with easy transportation between each place provided by a comfortable, climate-controlled bus. There will be no hot and humid buses or brisk hikes between points of interest!
Why should you go to the Rome catacombs?
Catacomb tours in Rome are a fantastic opportunity to discover the hidden side of such a beautiful city. Rome has it everything, from gorgeous churches to incredible artwork, but it also has a dark history of illicit religion and underground worship, as well as cemeteries beyond the city walls and hidden art.
The catacombs are a fantastic way to learn about portions of the city’s history that you wouldn’t otherwise learn about. Popes were buried in the Roman catacombs, and as the religion outgrew private worship, early Christians brought tables and benches down to the caverns.
The catacombs of Rome are among the world’s oldest. This is a huge appeal for history buffs; the tunnels themselves, which were turned into catacombs by the ancient Romans, date back even longer. The Etruscans cut them out so that they could mine limestone and sandstone.
But it’s not just history and scary stories. The catacombs are like an underground art gallery, with frescoes and smaller, framed artworks to be found. It is truly a wonder to view this well-preserved art lying beneath the clamour and bustle of the city, since it is said to be the most precious collection of Christian artworks in the world, save for those in the Vatican. It’s also great to see artwork in a setting other than a brilliantly lighted gallery packed with school groups and families!
Where else can you see Rome’s dark side?
The Eternal City’s evil aspect is not limited to the catacombs. Our tour combines a visit to the catacombs with a visit to San Clemente Basilica and the Capuchin Crypt and Museum.
San Clemente is a wonderful example of church reuse; beneath the church, you’ll find a preserved Roman street with a functional aqueduct and a room that was once used for secret meetings of a pagan mystery cult.
The Capuchin Crypts are housed in the Church of Santa Maria della Concezionidei Cappuccini, which also serves as a museum for the Capuchins. The bodies of 4000 friars were rehoused in the 17th century and are placed in artistic patterns to remind visitors that death is unavoidable…
Visit the Rome catacombs with these helpful hints
Our Roman catacomb tours are given by English-speaking archaeologists who are specialists in their profession and can teach you a lot about the underground burial chambers’ history. Group sizes are limited to 20 individuals or less, which is the ideal size for enjoying a tour to the catacombs without feeling crowded.
When visiting the catacombs, think about what you’ll wear. Even in the summer, they may get rather cold because they are underground; so, while you may be visiting the city in a t-shirt and shorts; bring a lightweight jacket with you to wear when you go beneath the city streets. Comfortable shoes, such as sneakers or walking boots, are required because the catacombs are ancient and were not designed for simple exploration!If you have shopping bags or bags of any kind, you can leave them at luggage storage Paris and explore the catacombs hands-free.
It’s worth remembering that you must cover your knees and shoulders when visiting the crypts. In the winter, jeans and a sweater (or a t-shirt and jacket combination) are appropriate attire. Wear a thin shirt or blouse with thin trousers like khakis or harem pants if you’re travelling in the summer. That way, you may maintain your cool while still adhering to the dress code.
Online Colosseum tickets
The Colosseum is one of the world’s most visited landmarks, with 4 million visitors each year. If you’re visiting Rome, it’s a must-see, along with the Vatican, the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and many other attractions.
Colosseum tickets can be purchased online.
Fortunately, you can get Colosseum tickets in advance of your trip, allowing you to spend more time touring Rome and less time worrying about where and how to see all of the Eternal City’s architectural and cultural wonders.
Is it necessary to get Colosseum tickets in advance?
Yes, to a point. Colosseum tickets can be purchased in advance and delivered to your inbox. You can print your tickets at home and pick them up later. You’ll save a lot of time by not having to wait in line at the ticket office. Choose your visit date and time, and don’t worry about crowds on the day of your visit. There is a small surcharge for purchasing Colosseum tickets online, but doing so allows you to avoid the long lines that are an unavoidable feature of any visit to a significant site. Keep in mind that you’ll still have to go through security, albeit it will take less time than if you didn’t purchase your ticket in advance.
Is it possible to avoid the line if I have Colosseum tickets?
Yes, you certainly can. The Colosseum has two entrances, one for advance ticket holders and one for those purchasing tickets on the spot. The wait for advance ticket holders is substantially shorter, therefore you’ll be able to enter much faster than if you arrive without tickets. In the summer, temperatures in Rome can reach dangerously high levels, so spending less time in line is always preferable.
