Rome: Underground Temples & Crucifixion Relics Walking Tour

Rome, Italy
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Take a fascinating journey through an underground pagan temple and four impressive churches to understand the very early stages of Christianity. See original relics from the Crucifixion of Christ and soil from the Holy Land.

Description

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Basilica of San Clemente, Via Labicana 95, 00184 Rome Italy

You will enjoy a fascinating journey deep underground St. Clement's Basilica, a few meters away from the Colosseum.
You will go through three layers of ancient monuments built on top of each other, and learn about forgotten pagan cults, early Christianity, and mystic symbolism.
You will visit the best preserved Temple of Mithras and touch the underground river flowing below the streets of Rome and below the Colosseum.
You will marvel at ancient mosaics and at the stories they portray.
You will appreciate the intimacy of a small group of maximum 8 people

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

Stop At: Arcibasilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, Piazza di Porta San Giovanni, 4, 00184 Rome Italy

Having learned about paganism, the early persecutions and the martyrs, make a walk to the Cathedral of Rome, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, and find out why it is known as “Mother and head of all churches on Earth”.
Be impressed by the beauty of the golden interior and the ancient frescos and hear about Emperor Constantine and why he legalized Christianity in 313.


Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Scala Santa and Chapel of San Lorenzo, Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano 14, 00184 Rome Italy

Learn about the Emperor’s mother, St. Helena, and her pilgrimage to Jerusalem to recover the artifacts, safeguarded by the early underground church in the Holy Land. Among those, see the Holy Stairs, the original stairs of the praetorium which Jesus climbed at his judgment.


Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, Piazza di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme 12, 00185 Rome Italy

Finally, walk to the church built with earth brought from the Holy land, the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem and see the other Holy Relics secured by Helena including a nail from the Crucifixion, the walnut board Pontius Pilate put above the cross as well as the wood of the Cross Jesus was crucified on. See also fragments of the wall from the cave of the nativity in Bethlehem and two thorns of the crown of the Passion of Christ.

Duration: 30 minutes

Inclusions

  • All Fees and Taxes
  • Headsets to hear clear your guide
  • Entry/Admission - Basilica of San Clemente

Additional information

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Infant seats available
  • Please be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the tour starts in order to complete the signup and setup the headsets.
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • An appropriate dress-code is required in order to enter the churches: knees and shoulders should be covered.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes: a moderate amount of walking is involved.
  • This tour is not wheelchair-accessible.
  • 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 full refund.
  • Not recommended for people with claustrophobia
  • 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
  • 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

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Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.

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