Discover Rome's hidden delights and quirky sites on a 3.5-hour walking tour of the underground catacombs, Capuchin Crypt and the Basilica of San Clemente. The intriguing tour showcases the best of Rome's underground attractions, such as the crypt made from Capuchin monks' bones and the Domitilla Catacombs where early Christians worshiped in secret. Finish with a visit to Basilica of San Clemente to see a church like no other, and marvel at the centuries of history displayed through its architecture.
Highlights
- 3.5-hour Rome catacombs tour including the Capuchin Crypt and Basilica of San Clemente
- See Caravaggio’s St Francis in Meditation painting in the Capuchin Crypt Museum
- Learn about the Capuchin monks who used human bones to build and decorate their crypt
- Visit the Domitilla Catacombs underneath the Appian Way
- Explore the Basilica of San Clemente and see Rome’s history displayed through layers of architecture
Why Our Insiders Chose This Tour
The informative guide shares so much intriguing information about early Christianity on this walking tour. Great off-the-beaten-track attraction!
Recent Photos of this Tour
Skip the Line: Crypts and Roman Catacombs Small Group Walking Tour
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CatacombsGoing down into the catacombs is nice and cold underground!Photo by: Melodi R
USA, 07 2010 -
The Appia AnticaCrypts and Catacombs TourPhoto by: L W J
08 2013 -
Display at Chuch interior.Photographs were not pemitted on the most of this trip.Photo by: Marie H
Ireland, 01 2013 -
DSC_0867Bisillica de San Clemente courtyard.Photo by: Donald E. S
10 2012 -
DSC_0860Scene outside the Catacombs.Photo by: Donald E. S
10 2012 -
Skip the Line: Crypts and ...Skip the Line: Crypts and Roman Catacombs Small Group Walking TourPhoto by: Anonymous
10 2012 -
Skip the Line: Crypts and ...Skip the Line: Crypts and Roman Catacombs Small Group Walking TourPhoto by: Anonymous
10 2012 -
Skip the Line: Crypts and ...Skip the Line: Crypts and Roman Catacombs Small Group Walking TourPhoto by: Anonymous
10 2012 -
Skip the Line: Crypts and ...Skip the Line: Crypts and Roman Catacombs Small Group Walking TourPhoto by: Anonymous
10 2012 -
DSC01165Church of San ClementePhoto by: Sarah W
01 2012 -
DSC01142Grounds at the Domitilla Catacombs - Ancient Christian burial groundPhoto by: Sarah W
01 2012 -
Skip the Line: Crypts and ...Entrance and introduction to the catacombPhoto by: Sarah W
01 2012 -
Marcellus Theatrewww.flickr.com/photos/bslinterpreterPhoto by: Paranoid Android
United Kingdom, 08 2011 -
DSC_0503Near the exit of the Catacombs.Photo by: Teresa D
USA, 01 2011 -
CappucinniThis is the Cappucinni Monastery one of the most fascinating treasures inside!Photo by: Rafael B
Puerto Rico, 10 2008 -
Hoar's FountainTake the tour and you will learn why it is called that :)Photo by: Erika H
USA, 08 2008 -
Inside Church of San ClementeOld church built on top of an old church, built on top of an even older church.Photo by: Erika H
USA, 08 2008 -
Underground ChurchThis was the underground church we went to. It was the third stop on the tour.Photo by: G.V.G.
USA, 07 2008 -
Underground ChurchThis was a stone inside the Underground Church we went to.Photo by: G.V.G.
USA, 07 2008 -
A typical city streetEverywhere you look, there are people, buildings and shops.Photo by: Robert C
USA, 01 2008 -
What You Can Expect
Capuchin Bone Chapel, Rome
Meet your guide at Piazza Barberini in central Rome, and stroll to the Church of Santa Maria della Concezione to discover the Capuchin Crypts. Start by entering the crypt’s museum to see an incredible Caravaggio painting – St Francis in Meditation – as well as other relics about St Francis (Italy’s patron saint), and then head into the jaw-dropping crypts. From its arched walls to the picture frames that hang upon them, the chapel is made entirely from human bones. The mesmerizing display was created by the Capuchin monks who used the remains of their departed brothers to decorative effect.
Hear the history and then head back above ground to stroll to the Appian Way. One of the world’s longest roads, it’s also known for being home to the catacombs – nearly 186 miles (300km) of underground tunnels that were used as burial chambers by Rome’s early Christians. Skip past any entrance lines and go below ground with your guide to visit the largest one – Domitilla Catacombs (Catacomb di Santa Domitilla) – and marvel at the treasures that lie deep beneath the city. Christianity was once banned in Rome and so the catacombs provided a peaceful sanctuary where they could worship. Marvel at the Christian wall paintings and see an underground 4th-century church, too.
Head back above ground and walk to your tour’s final highlight, the Basilica of San Clemente. A one-of-a-kind church, the basilica actually comprises three buildings – from the 2nd, 4th and 12th centuries – each built on top of the other. Skip the lines outside and as you explore with your guide, you’ll see different slices of Rome’s history, noting how the architecture gets grander in each building. Admire magnificent Renaissance and 11th-century frescoes and pose for pictures under an eye-catching mosaic.
Your tour finishes inside the Basilica of San Clemente, and you can stay longer if you wish to soak up the splendor of the church at your own pace.
Hear the history and then head back above ground to stroll to the Appian Way. One of the world’s longest roads, it’s also known for being home to the catacombs – nearly 186 miles (300km) of underground tunnels that were used as burial chambers by Rome’s early Christians. Skip past any entrance lines and go below ground with your guide to visit the largest one – Domitilla Catacombs (Catacomb di Santa Domitilla) – and marvel at the treasures that lie deep beneath the city. Christianity was once banned in Rome and so the catacombs provided a peaceful sanctuary where they could worship. Marvel at the Christian wall paintings and see an underground 4th-century church, too.
Head back above ground and walk to your tour’s final highlight, the Basilica of San Clemente. A one-of-a-kind church, the basilica actually comprises three buildings – from the 2nd, 4th and 12th centuries – each built on top of the other. Skip the lines outside and as you explore with your guide, you’ll see different slices of Rome’s history, noting how the architecture gets grander in each building. Admire magnificent Renaissance and 11th-century frescoes and pose for pictures under an eye-catching mosaic.
Your tour finishes inside the Basilica of San Clemente, and you can stay longer if you wish to soak up the splendor of the church at your own pace.
Customer Reviews
February 2014
The tour guide was fantastic, very knowledgable and engaging. The tour was very interesting and makes for very good sightseeing. Wouldn't recommend to people who are claustrophobic as a lot of the spaces we were in were very tight. Definately worth the money and a must do if your in Rome for a period of time.
February 2014
Awesome!
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