Small-Group Tour of Roman Catacombs & St. Clement's Undergrounds
Rome, Italy
Explore a surprising lesser-known gem in the city center before jumping outside the city walls to the mazy Roman Catacombs. Go deep underground in a dark world of secret cults and ancient wall paintings with a small-group guided tour.
Visit 2 contrasting underground sights with an expert guide. Discover the place of a hidden cult 14 meters below St. Clement’s Basilica and descend into the twisty tunnels of the Catacombs of Domitilla.
Description
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Basilica of San Clemente, Via Labicana 95, 00184 Rome Italy
Meet your guide in front of St. Clement's Basilica and venture deep underground below its foundations into a mystical world of ancient cults and legends. Journey through several layers of history and earth, down to 14 meters below ground. Live the excitement of gradually exploring the later structures built on top of it on your way up to the surface.
Go back in time down to the deepest point and discover the best-preserved Mithraic temple of the city. Find out about the pagan faith of Ancient Romans before Christianity and be intrigued by its sectarian and esoteric flavour. Touch the waters of an underground river before going higher into the remains of the 4th Century Basilica, built on top of the martyr’s house and below the actual one. Walk along its imposing walls and be fascinated by the ancient frescoes while learning about the scenes and the lives of the martyrs they portray.
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Stop At: Via Appia Antica, Via Appia, Rome Italy
Get onboard a comfortable air-conditioned minivan and travel along the Ancient Appian Way to the largest Catacombs in Rome. The round trip takes approx. 30 minutes.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Catacombe di Santa Domitilla, Via delle Sette Chiese 282, 00147 Rome Italy
Visit the otherworldly crypts of Domitilla. Descend 16 meters below the surface and explore the accessible part of its vast labyrinth of underground burial chambers and galleries.
Be captivated by the ancient wall-paintings of mythological and biblical figures and revive the shift of faith from paganism to Christianity. Feel the power of prohibited belief and learn about early martyrs and persecutions. Complete your underworld experience in the 4th-century subterranean basilica.
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Inclusions
- All entrance and transport fees
- Sterilised headsets to hear the guide clearly
- One mask per person if required
- Use of hand-sanitising gel during the tour
- Full on-site assistance
- Luggage deposit in our office for the duration of the tour
- Entry/Admission - Basilica of San Clemente
- Entry/Admission - Catacombe di Santa Domitilla
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- An appropriate dress-code is required in order to enter the churches: knees and shoulders should be covered
- This tour is subject to weather conditions and/or liturgic-calendar events. If canceled you will be given the option of an alternative date or a full refund
- This tour will have a maximum of 8 participants
- You will need to be at the meeting point 5 minutes before the starting time
- Not recommended for people with claustrophobia
- Most travelers can participate
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
- Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required for travelers
- COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Operates
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Outdoor Activities
Culture
Tours & Sightseeing
Bus Tours
Archaeology Tours
Walking Tours
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Half-day Tours
Checkout these other experiences on Plan Harmony