Why the
Catacombs of Rome
are special

These are sprawling underground labyrinth of corridors with tomb niches carved out of the rock walls. The passageways are long and multi-leveled and were created in the 2nd to early 5th centuries. Preserved decorations include religious frescoes, symbols and inscriptions.

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Catacombs of Rome
tips & insights

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Most popular
catacomb

Of the over 60 known catacombs in the Rome area, St. Callixtus is the most popular for visitors.

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Cinema myth

Some movies tell us that the persecuted Christians used the catacombs to hide from the Roman authorities. That's myth. Why hide there? Few hide-minded people did. The authorities were well aware of the catacomb locations and layouts.

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Primary function
of the catacombs

Christians and Jews used catacombs because they were poor - and they  believed that the body should be intact for resurrection. (Cremation was the preferred funeral method among the pagan Romans).

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Location  of
the catacombs

They were constructed just outside of the ancient Roman border because the city prohibited open-air cemeteries.

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The Catacombs of Rome
are not unique

Catacombs were built elsewhere in Italy, as well as in distant lands.

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After the
fall of Rome

In the Middle Ages, the catacombs were neglected and abandoned. People soon forgot they existed. They were not discovered until the 17th century.

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Weather + crowd issues

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