Beneath the streets of Rome lies one of the most mystical and exciting worlds – the catacombs. These are underground networks of tunnels that served as early Christian burial grounds, where saints, martyrs, and ordinary Romans were buried. Visiting the catacombs is a unique experience combining history, archaeology, and spirituality. In this guide you'll discover which catacombs are worth visiting, how to buy tickets, and what to expect from this extraordinary tour beneath the Eternal City.
What Are the Catacombs in Rome?
The catacombs in Rome are underground early Christian burial grounds. They date from the 2nd century AD and were used until the 5th century. They're carved into tuff - volcanic rock characteristic of Central Italy.
The catacombs stretch for several kilometers. The Catacombs of St. Callixtus alone are over 20 km (12 miles) long!
The catacombs are arranged on several levels and reach depths of over 20 meters (65 feet) underground.
The catacombs of Rome contain the remains of many saints, martyrs, and popes.
The catacombs were abandoned during the Middle Ages and rediscovered during the Renaissance (16th century), and in the 19th century were partially restored and made accessible to visitors.
There are many catacomb complexes in Rome, but only some are open to visitors and visits to them are only with a guide.
How to Visit the Catacombs in Rome?
Currently there are five catacombs in Rome that are open to visitors and managed by organizations offering guided tours, and advance reservation is mandatory.
You need to know: Access to the catacombs is via steep stairs that aren't suitable for people with mobility impairments. Due to the underground nature of the site, the catacombs are always cold: bring a shawl even in the height of summer! See more tips on what to wear for your visit at the end of this page.
Catacombs of St. Callixtus - Recommended for First Visit
The Catacombs of St. Callixtus (Catacombe di San Callisto) are the largest in Rome and the most visited.
They're located along the Via Appia, in an area with several other significant attractions like the Quo Vadis church and ancient Roman tombs.
They're managed by the Vatican through the Religious Congregation of the Salesians of Don Bosco.
Guided tours are offered in several languages; you can book online here.
The tour is excellent and I consider it the most informative of all I've been on.
That's why I recommend this tour as the choice for a first catacomb visit. This tour is also suitable for children (school age and up).
The Catacombs of St. Callixtus date from the 2nd century AD and are one of the most important Christian sites in Rome.
Over half a million Christians are buried there, and among the first buried there were St. Cecilia and many popes. For this reason these catacombs are sometimes called the "Little Vatican."
The most notable things in the Catacombs of St. Callixtus are the tunnels themselves, the stunning statue of St. Cecilia, ancient frescoes in some of the richest chapels, and the impressive Crypt of the Popes, which is a very special place for Christians.
The visit to the Catacombs of St. Callixtus lasts about 45 minutes and includes a talk explaining what the catacombs are and how they originated, and a walk through the tunnels.
Catacombs of St. Sebastian
The Catacombs of St. Sebastian are also located on the Via Appia, just a short distance from those of St. Callixtus.
They're among the most ancient catacombs in Rome and are beautiful mainly because of the lovely frescoes that still decorate the chamber known as the Cubiculum of Jonah, dating from the 4th century AD.
The Catacombs of St. Sebastian were originally a pagan cemetery and became a Christian cemetery in the 2nd century, when they were dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul.
The catacombs owe their name to St. Sebastian, who died as a martyr in Rome and whose remains were brought here by the matron Lucina, who saw the saint in a dream and felt called to bury him appropriately in this place.
You can visit the Catacombs of St. Sebastian with a guide. You can book your tour here.
Catacombs of Priscilla
The Catacombs of Priscilla are located in the northern part of Rome, near the Via Salaria, and are unique because they contain the first image of the Virgin Mary in history.
The fresco depicts Mary with the Christ Child in her lap and dates from the 4th century AD.
Access to these catacombs is only possible with a guide.
I recommend visiting the catacombs mainly to visitors with religious interests, lovers of Christian art, and families with children, as they're located next to the large park of Villa Ada.
Catacombs of Domitilla
The Catacombs of Domitilla are located on the Via Ardeatina, in the southern part of Rome. The tunnels are on four levels and are over 17 km (10.5 miles) long. It's believed that over 150,000 Christians are buried there.
They're best known for being the place where Saints Nereus and Achilleus were buried in the 4th century AD. The Catacombs of Domitilla also contain a unique feature - a basilica that's partially underground.
Access is only with a pre-booked private tour. You can reserve your ticket by contacting the catacombs office directly here.
Catacombs of Sant'Agnese
The Catacombs of St. Agnes are located beneath the stunning Christian complex of the Basilica of St. Agnes and the Mausoleum of Constanza, in the northern part of Rome.
The catacombs are named after St. Agnes, whose relics are in the Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone on Piazza Navona.
These catacombs are less visited than others in Rome; however, they're interesting, especially if you combine the visit with the churches of Sant'Agnese and Santa Costanza, which are a rare example of round churches in Rome.
You can arrange a catacomb tour by contacting the parish office here.
Visiting the Catacombs in Rome with Children
The catacombs are an interesting site for children, but due to the nature of the attraction and the logistics of accessing it, they can be challenging for families with young children.
Based on my experience visiting Rome's catacombs with children, I think it's important to know the following things.
The catacombs aren't suitable for strollers: access is via steep stairs, and due to moisture in the tunnels they can be slippery.
If you plan to visit the catacombs with a baby, a baby carrier and appropriate shoes are essential.
Also, always hold the handrails when going down, as it's very easy to slip!
I don't recommend visiting the catacombs with a toddler: although it's technically possible, it's paramount that they don't separate from you.
Getting lost here is very easy (the tunnels are over 20 km). Although safety measures have been taken, you don't want to risk it!
Additionally, catacombs generally aren't of interest to small children, as there's nothing they can touch. The only fun thing for them is the echo, which isn't fun for others present.
Elementary school-age children and up will probably like the catacombs: the underground tunnels and the site's history will likely capture their attention and curiosity.
However, I recommend considering that these are burial grounds and you'll hear stories of terrible deaths and see graves of babies and children.
This may or may not be a problem for your children, but I think it's important to be prepared.
A small child's grave, even if very ancient, is the one thing my daughter remembered most from the whole experience. So advance preparation is key.
I believe the catacombs are a fantastic site to visit in Rome with teenagers.
The ones I recommend visiting with them are the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, which you can combine with a bike ride along the Via Appia.
More Interesting Facts About the Catacombs in Rome
Rome's catacombs are early Christian underground burial grounds.
According to the Vatican, Christian catacombs began to be built during the time of Pope Zephyrinus (199-217 AD).
To meet the growing need for a safe place to bury Christians, he entrusted the future Pope Callixtus with the task of managing the cemeteries on the Via Appia and turning them into a Christian cemetery capable of receiving the remains of popes and their fellow believers.
Over time the cemetery grew and became a huge underground city of the dead.
The same concept was reproduced in several areas of Rome, so now we can visit several catacombs in different parts of the city.
What Are the Catacombs of Rome Made Of?
The catacombs are carved into a type of stone typical of Central Italy called tuff.
This material is very soft when underground but becomes very strong and durable after being exposed to air.
This feature meant that the diggers (in Latin: fossores) could effectively dig long tunnels and tombs that after completion were sturdy and withstood the test of time.
Initially the tombs resembled a modern cemetery; as the need for space grew, the diggers went deeper and deeper, adding more and more corridors.
The largest catacombs in Rome are over 4 levels down underground, with each level having several rows of burial niches on each side of the walls and multiple chambers.
What Do the Catacombs Look Like?
Please note: Photography in the catacombs isn't allowed.
The catacombs are a network of long underground tunnels.
You enter them via fairly steep stairs that take you several levels underground and extend as high, winding corridors.
Slots are carved into their walls that can accommodate a reclining body. Each wall has several niches, one above another, to use all possible space.
Each opening was covered with a burial stone and had space for a small oil lamp for lighting.
As you walk through the corridors, you'll encounter chapels and larger chambers.
These belonged to the wealthiest families, or, in the case of the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, were burial chapels for the popes.
Overall, the catacombs resemble an underground city, with streets (corridors), intersections (the network is huge), and a mix of more extravagant and more modest homes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rome's Catacombs
What does "catacombs" mean?
The word "catacombs" comes from the elite ad catacumbas, which in turn seems to come from the Greek phrase kata koumbas = at/according to the caves.
How dark are the catacombs? Can I visit them if I suffer from claustrophobia?
Since they're underground, there's no natural light in the catacombs.
Currently the areas accessible to visitors are lit with electric lighting, but in the past the only light sources were small burial lamps and torches.
The catacombs aren't for you if you suffer from claustrophobia, but because they're well-lit and ventilated, the overall feeling isn't too oppressive.
What to wear to visit the catacombs in Rome?
You need the following to visit Rome's catacombs: a shawl or vest and comfortable walking shoes.
The shawl or vest is essential in all seasons: the catacombs are cold and maintain a temperature of around 16°C (61°F), regardless of the temperature outside.
On our last visit it was 35°C (95°F) outside and 16°C (61°F) inside. Make sure you have clothing you can easily put on/take off!
Regarding shoes, I recommend choosing comfortable shoes with rubber soles: this is so your feet don't get tired from long walking, and also to give you extra grip on the stairs. Avoid flip-flops at all costs.