CRYPTS & CATACOMBS
| Tour Time: | 1.30 pm | Tour Type: | Driving | Tour Duration: | 3 hours |
| Catacombs of St Domitilla | Appian Way | Basilica of St Clemente | Capuchin Crypt |
For this tour, we will collect you at your hotel, and driver you along the Appian Way. This was one of the longest and most important roads built by the Romans, at one time extending to Brindisi on the south-eastern coast. It is today the best-preserved road from Ancient Rome.
According to legend, St Peter had a vision of Christ on this path as he was fleeing Rome in 67AD,
which caused him to return to the city to face his martyrdom.
First stop on this tour are the Catacombs of Saint Domittila.
These underground cemeteries are the oldest of the five that are open to the public today,
and are the only ones to still contain bones!
It is also the only one to have an underground Basilica, which was the entrance to the burial area.
This church and cemetery were in use by Roman Christians from the 2nd century AD, when the religion was still illegal in Rome. As well as the sarcophagi and bones, there are important 2nd-century frescoes to behold.
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In these catacombs, you will see where the bodies of thousands of Christians were buried,
and where for centuries after their deaths, pilgrims arrived to pray for the dead and left graffiti on the walls.
Your guide will explain why so many Christians were buried here, the reasons for the locations of their cemeteries, and the historical events of the times that both drove them underground as well as strengthening the resolve of the martyrs. From there we bring you to the church of San Clemente.
This is one of the most unique churches in Rome, as it has three distinct levels.
Today's church is built on the foundations of a medieval church, which was in turn built above an ancient street in Rome, which you can visit with us. Here you will see a 1st-century Roman house, a Mint and a pagan Temple of Mithras.
Finally on this itinerary, is a visit to the Crypt of the Capuchin monastery of Santa Maria della Concezione.
Here you will see where the Capuchin monks decorated the chapels with the actual bones of their dead!
Tour Fees for up to 5 passengers (including transport, not inclusive of tickets) €375
and where for centuries after their deaths, pilgrims arrived to pray for the dead and left graffiti on the walls.
Your guide will explain why so many Christians were buried here, the reasons for the locations of their cemeteries, and the historical events of the times that both drove them underground as well as strengthening the resolve of the martyrs. From there we bring you to the church of San Clemente.
This is one of the most unique churches in Rome, as it has three distinct levels.
Today's church is built on the foundations of a medieval church, which was in turn built above an ancient street in Rome, which you can visit with us. Here you will see a 1st-century Roman house, a Mint and a pagan Temple of Mithras.
Finally on this itinerary, is a visit to the Crypt of the Capuchin monastery of Santa Maria della Concezione.
Here you will see where the Capuchin monks decorated the chapels with the actual bones of their dead!
Tour Fees for up to 5 passengers (including transport, not inclusive of tickets) €375
Tour Details
Booking:
If you would like to book a Crypts & Catacombs Tour with us, please fill out the form on our booking page and it will email us your request.
Booking
What Our Clients Say
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“Our tour guide was outstanding. His knowledge of Rome and history was impressive.
He had a natural ability to communicate this wealth of knowledge in a way
that was easy to grasp and enjoyable. I look forward to visiting Rome again
in the future and highly recommend your company to everyone.
Thank you for a wonderful day in Rome full of amazing memories!”
– Shauna, USA -
“We had a great tour and we were very impressed and overwhelmed with the guide’s
abundance of knowledge! He was great and made it wonderful because we learned so much!
The group size was small which was very nice.
I will definitely recommend your company to others traveling to Rome!
Thank you.” - Kim, U.S. -
“Tour with Richie was wonderful. Everything we expected and more.
It was singlely the best decision we made when planning our trip!
Richie was very knowledgable and we enjoyed spending the day with him.”
– Kristy, USA -
“All three of our guides' level of historical, archeological and artistic expertise
is to be highly commended. I cannot say enough positive words about all three tours.”
- Wendy, Connecticut. -
“Your 3 tours made our time in Rome really worthwhile.
The sunset one with Richie was great; he was so helpful and informative.
The Vatican tour with Alexandra was equally good
and we could not get over how much of a difference it made to the holiday.
Thanks too for the easy to understand directions and meeting places,
we had absolutely no problems at all.
You are all wonderful……..” – Jenny, Slough -
“We had a wonderful tour and Richie was a great guide!
He was wonderful with the children (ages 7 and 4) as well as us adults.
We highly recommend him to others!
Thank you for helping us have a truly wonderful experience in Rome!
Also, a special hello and thank you to Richie!!
We still talk about him!”
- Susan, USA.