Rome - Via Appia Antica
Rome's Via Appia Antica, Old Appian Way, outside the walls of Rome was used as a burial place for early Christians as well as pagans. Burials were forbidden inside the walls of Rome as early as the fifth century BC. Miles of tunnels were cut into the tufa to be used as burial chambers. The Roman catacombs contain thousands of burial niches as well as some good examples of early Christian art.
To get to the catacombs and Via Appia Antica, take bus 218 from the San Giovanni Metro Stop or take the Archeo bus that stops several places in Rome. The catacombs are visited with a guide and tours, usually lasting 20 minutes to an hour, are given in several different languages. The three catacombs easiest to visit have different closing periods so you should always find at least one of them open. Hours are generally 8:30-12:00 and 2:30-5:00. You can buy tickets for the tours at the entrance to each catacomb.
Find the location of these catacombs and other Via Appia Antica monuments on this Appian Way Map.
- Catacombs of St. Callixtus, Catacombe di San Callisto: St. Callixtus, the biggest and most popular, has a network of galleries about 19 km long and 20 meters deep. You'll also find the most tours and tour buses here. Highlights of the catacombs include the crypt of nine popes and early Christian frescoes, paintings, and sculptures. St. Callixtus is closed on Wednesdays and in February.
- Catacombs of St. Domitilla, Catacombe di San Domitilla: St. Domitilla has the oldest catacombs. Entrance is through a fourth century church. Tour groups at St. Domitilla tend to be smaller. One of the highlights is a second century fresco of the Last Supper. St. Domitilla is closed on Tuesdays and in January.
- Catacombs of St. Sebastian, Catacombe di San Sebastiano: St. Sebastian has about 11 km of tunnels but the tour is restricted to a very small area. Highlights of the catacombs include early Christian mosaics and graffiti. St. Sebastian is closed Sundays and November 13-December 11.
Rome - Via Salaria
St. Priscilla's Catacombs, Catacombe di Priscilla, are among Rome's oldest catacombs, dating back to the late second century AD. The catacombs are at Via Salaria 430 - Via Salaria is another of Rome's ancient roads leaving Rome at the Salaria gate, Porta Salaria, and heading east to the Adriatic Sea. The catacombs are closed on Mondays and in January.
Rome - Historic Center
Rome also has interesting catacombs beneath some churches and streets. One of the most impressive is the Capuchin Crypt beneath the Capuchin Church of the Immaculate Conception, built in 1645. The crypt contains bones of over 4,000 monks, many arranged in patterns or even forming objects such as a clock. Here are a few pictures from the Capuchin Crypt with more information. You'll find the church and crypt on Via Veneto near Barbarini Square.
Page 2: Catacombs in Sicily
Page 3: Mummies in Italy
