Know Before You Go: Visiting the Roman Catacombs

Many visitors assume that there is a single warren of catacombs beneath Rome, but the city is actually home to dozens of ancient underground burial sites scattered outside its historic center; these sites are known collectively as the “catacombs of Rome.” Not all are open to the public, but there are six catacombs and a number of burial crypts that visitors can tour.

Most mentions of the “catacombs of Rome” refer to the most famous spots: the Catacombs of St. Callixtus (San Callisto), the Catacombs of St. Sebastian (San Sebastiano), the Catacombs of Domitilla, the Catacombs of Priscilla, the Catacombs of St. Agnes (Sant’Agnese), and the lesser-known Catacombs of Saints Marcellinus and Peter. (The Capuchin Crypt is often also included in this list, though it is not actually a catacomb.)

Insider tip: Since Rome’s catacombs and crypts are all located underground, they are an ideal sight to see on a rainy day or a scorching summer afternoon.

The catacomb complexes were built between the 2nd and 5th centuries and used to bury thousands of Roman Christians, though Jews and pagans were also laid to rest in their tunnels and chambers. Early Christians preferred burial over cremation (the common pagan rite during this time) and carved out vast warrens to lay their dead to rest outside the ancient city walls.

These underground cemeteries were also places that Christians could decorate freely with religious symbols. Today, the images in these chambers number among the most important pieces of proto-Christian art in the world.

Insider tip: Photography is strictly forbidden inside the Roman catacombs, so if you want images of the art, stop by the gift shop for some postcards—most of the catacombs have at least a kiosk near the ticket window.

Each catacomb complex in Rome is different and offers its own highlights. Some are remarkable for their ancient decorations while others are famous as the burial places for early Christian martyrs and popes. The Catacombs of St. Callixtus are the most popular of the bunch, because of their vast size; the nearby Catacombs of St. Sebastian, which houses fragments of ancient frescoes, is particularly good for those interested in art.

Both the Catacombs of Domitilla and the Catacombs of Priscilla also have important proto-Christian paintings; the Catacombs of Priscilla contain what is believed to be the first rending of the Virgin Mary. The less-famous Catacombs of St. Agnes and Catacombs of Saints Marcellinus and Peter are ideal if you want to avoid crowds.

Insider tip: Read up on each catacomb before deciding which to visit, and be sure to map them out. The catacombs are all set outside the ancient walls and can be tricky to reach.

It's impossible to know exactly how many remains were once in the Roman catacombs, but hundreds of thousands of people were buried in them over the centuries. That said, squeamish visitors will be happy to hear that there are almost no visible skeletons left. Most were moved to other burial sites; others simply disintegrated over the millennia.

The more illustrious inhabitants of the catacombs, such as saints and popes, have long been relocated to dedicated chapels and tombs above ground or in the Vatican crypts.

Insider tip: Lovers of the macabre should instead tour the Capuchin Crypt, where hundreds of human bones were used to decorate its six chapels.

Because they are set underground, the catacomb complexes are all covered and generally cooler than the outdoor temperature in the summer. This makes them both a great rainy day excursion and a welcome respite from Rome’s heat. That said, each catacomb site has its own opening days and times, so be sure to check the individual websites carefully when planning your visit.

The easiest way to navigate the complicated catacomb schedule is to join a catacombs of Rome tour that takes care of details including ticketing and transportation for you.

Insider tip: To avoid the city’s heat in the summer, pair a morning tour of the Colosseum with an afternoon stop at the catacombs

Rome’s catacombs are considered sacred sites, so you should dress modestly to visit them; choose clothing that covers your shoulders, knees, and midriff. (Visitors without proper attire may be denied entry.) You’ll also want to bring a light jacket, sweater, or sweatshirt since the temperature underground is generally much cooler than outside. Each catacomb stretches for miles, and there can be steps and uneven ground inside, so choose sturdy, comfortable shoes that hold up well to lots of walking.

Insider tip: The catacomb sites do not allow large bags and backpacks inside, and there are no storage lockers, so only bring a small bag.

You're not allowed to explore the catacomb sites on your own. If you want to visit, you have two options: You can join one of the regularly scheduled small-group tours that depart from the catacomb entrance or visit as part of a larger catacombs of Rome tour that includes stops at multiple sites.

The more popular catacombs offer single-language tours in Italian, English, French, German, and Spanish; check the specific catacombs’ website to see when tours are offered in the language you prefer. The quieter sites group visitors together in multilingual tours (generally Italian and English). Admission tickets are included in both types of tours.

Insider tip: Only a limited number of visitors are allowed inside each of the catacombs on any given day, so make sure to book your tour ahead of time.

The catacombs of Rome include six different sites—seven if you include the Capuchin Crypt—and each has its own opening days and times. The main sites are open on Sundays and Mondays when many other sites and museums in Rome are closed. That said, all are closed one day of the week (not all on the same day), and most close for an hour or two over the lunch break.

Additionally, a few shutter for entire months during the winter or summer. In short, the catacombs can be confusing to visit, especially if you want to see more than one site in a day. A tour can help you skip the hassle of navigating each site’s schedule.

Rome’s underground catacombs can only be reached by walking down stairs, and tours take visitors along routes full of narrow tunnels, low chambers, and tight corners. Visitors who rely on wheelchairs will not be able to access these sites. In addition, travelers with limited mobility and those who suffer from claustrophobia will find the catacombs a challenge to navigate.

That said, the Capuchin Crypt (often thought of as an element of the catacombs) is accessible to wheelchairs, and its single-level layout and higher ceilings also make it easier to visit for those with mobility issues or claustrophobia.

• How long are the catacombs of Rome? Each of the sites contains miles of tunnels; the largest, the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, winds across more than 12 miles (20 kilometers). That said, guided tours only cover a portion of each of the catacombs and generally take less than an hour.

• When were the catacombs of Rome built? The underground tunnels and chambers were built between the 2nd and 5th centuries, when Roman law forbade people from burying the dead inside the ancient city walls.

• Who built the catacombs of Rome? Early Christians built the catacombs as a way to bury (rather than cremate) their dead. The burial sites are rich in proto-Christian symbols and decorations.

• Who is buried in the catacombs of Rome? Hundreds of thousands of Christians, Jews, and pagans were buried in Rome’s catacombs over centuries, including numerous Christian saints and popes. However, over time these remains have either been moved or have turned to dust.