Guided tour

Rome: Official Guided Tour of the Catacombs of St. Callixtus

Guided tour

Rome: Official Guided Tour of the Catacombs of St. Callixtus

From US$ 12.65 per person

Certified

Discover the immense underground cemetery excavated by the Christians of Rome from the 3rd to the 5th century AD. Learn about the tragic persecution of Christians by Roman emperors with a guide.

About this activity

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Duration 30 minutes
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Live tour guide
Italian, German, Polish, French, English, Spanish

Experience

Highlights
  • Contemplate the crypt of the Popes and the crypt of St. Cecilia
  • Marvel at the oldest Christian frescoes discovered in Rome
  • Explore the labyrinth of narrow galleries
Full description

Uncover the secrets of ancient Rome, hidden in its underground cemeteries. Join a guided tour of the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, excavated by the Christians between the 3rd and 5th centuries. Learn about the mysterious origins of this site and its rediscovery in the modern era.

Enter the crypt of the 3rd-century Popes, where 5 of the 9 tombstones of Rome's bishops who were buried here are still preserved. Then admire a slab of marble where some famous verses of Pope Damasus were engraved.

Next, cross a narrow arch and enter the crypt where St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music, was first buried. Be inspired by her history while contemplating the crypt's decorative frescoes and a copy of the statue made by Maderno, depicting the martyr's body when a reconnaissance was made in 1599.

From the crypt of Santa Cecilia, continue your tour through the oldest part of the catacomb. Admire its majestic galleries and the beautiful cubicles of "sacraments".

Finally, walk through the maze of tunnels dug in peacetime, trying to find your way out. Along the way, see various archaeological finds of funeral furniture before coming up to see the sunlight again.

Includes
  • Entry ticket
  • Tour guide
  • Hotel pickup or drop-off
  • Tips
Not suitable for
  • People with mobility impairments
  • People with claustrophobia
  • Wheelchair users

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Participants

Date

Meeting point

Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

Important information

Not allowed

  • Baby strollers
  • Luggage or large bags
  • Pets (assistance dogs allowed)
  • Unaccompanied minors

Know before you go

  • You will climb 50 irregular steps to reach the floor of the galleries. There is no elevator.
  • GetYourGuide customers can benefit from discounts at the Catacombs bookshop from 5% to 10% based on the product (with a minimum purchase of 10€)
  • The tour might not start during bad weather conditions
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 1854 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.6/5
  • Value for money
    4.5/5
  • Service
    5/5

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Good experience and very interesting information. It is a short tour but still worth the price. Visitors should be respectful though. Remember it is a grave site. Don't be disrespectful. I'm sure you won't be laughing and making silly jokes at your loved ones grave site.

March 25, 2023

The guide was very nice, knowledgeable and quite funny :) The catacombs are definitely worth a visit, they are such an interesting place and their historic worth is immense. A memorable experience and it was lovely to see people treat the place with so much respect, as it really is a resting place for the dead

March 25, 2023

The catacombs are well worth a visit. Maybe a slightly longer tour would give an appreciation of how large an area is covered by tunnels. Now you stay reasonably close to the centre, probably so no one gets lost. The catacombs are not easy to reach as the terrain is outside Rome centre and not very accessible by bus (the 'official' route had been changed which led to visitors standing at the wrong stop).

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March 25, 2023

Product ID: 390972