The Original Roman Crypts and Catacombs Tour with Transfers
Description
Descend into the chill of Rome’s mysterious underworld with Skip-the-Line access to three of the city’s strangest discoveries. Unmask a new side to the Eternal City as you explore the eerie Bone Chapel, adorned with the bones of 4,000 Capuchin monks, and the Christian Catacombs, a series of hidden tunnels where early Christian’s practiced their forbidden faith. Then travel beneath Basilica of San Martino ai Monti, a hidden gem tucked away in the city’s historic core.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your first destination is the Capuchin Crypt. Capuchin monks used the bones of nearly 4,000 of their brothers to decorate this somber space in intricate floor-to-ceiling designs, lending it the macabre nickname of ‘the Bone Chapel’. Here you will be free to explore hearing all the interesting details and the reasons behind such an unusual practice with your audio guide. Open your eyes to the city’s hidden side – and you’ll never see Rome the same way again.
Your expert historian guide will explain how this network of sacred tunnels is associated with the first Christians in ancient Rome. You’ll descend into the labyrinthian corridors carved into the soft volcanic rock and discover the frescoes, strange iconography and burial places which doubled as places of worship when the Christians were persecuted.
Conclude your Roman adventure at the Basilica of San Martino ai Monti, a hidden gem tucked away in the city’s historic core. Originally founded in the 4th century, this lesser-known church sits atop ancient Roman ruins and unveils layers of religious history. Marvel at magnificent Baroque frescoes, early Christian mosaics, and the remains of a secretive titulus—an early site for underground Christian worship. Venture beneath the basilica to explore centuries-old ruins and witness Rome’s evolving spiritual story.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- A dress code is required for entry into some of the sites on this tour. Knees and shoulders must be covered
- No photos can be taken inside the venue during the tour
- This activity is not suitable for people who suffer from claustrophobia
- Some of the venues may slightly reduce the length of visit in period of high demand.
- If you select the "After Hours" Option, starting at 5pm, you tour will last 2.5 hours and will end at Piazza della Repubblica
- Please note, on Sundays the Church visits is not guaranteed due to liturgical activities.
- Not recommended for those who are effected by claustrophobia
Reviews(5,280)
Great tour guide Allen. Very knowledgeable and made a difficult subject quite interesting. Best part was showing the levels of Rome. The architectural lasagna.
They gave us one address then changed it without us knowing so we waited around and left. Lost our money and a once in a lifetime trip.
We’re very sorry to hear about your experience and understand how upsetting this must have been, especially during a once-in-a-lifetime trip. City Wonders always makes every effort to inform clients as soon as possible if there are any changes to meeting points or tour details. We would appreciate the opportunity to investigate what happened and address this properly. Please contact City Wonders directly with your booking details so our team can look into the situation and assist you further. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
The Catacombs tour with Alain was truly exceptional! He made the experience both highly informative and engaging, blending history, knowledge, and humor seamlessly. His insights into the early Christians brought the history to life and made the tour deeply memorable. Highly recommended
Alexandra was fantastic! She was knowledgeable and explained many aspects of history. Highly recommended!
Our guide, Emiliano, was so knowledgeable and entertaining. My 9 year old loved it!
Great experience and well worth going to learn about how the monks lived and how the bones of previous monks were used and also to see the burial chambers in the crypts was a real eye opener. The last place we visited was a fantastic church and to hear its history was amazing, our guide was so knowledgable and gave us so much information about everything we saw the only down side was after this we were left to make our own way back which was a little disappointing.
Excellent tour with Alain! The check in process was smooth. The crypts were quite unique and the catacombs were fascinating. Our guide of the catacombs, Tina, was super knowledgeable and lovely. Paying the extra for the after hours experience was definitely worth it.
Loved the museum so much, lots of bones and very informative. The catacombs were interesting, no bodies there as they had all been removed but what remains is amazing
What an extraordinary different location. I would not have believed it had I not seen it myself. Guides super knowledgeable. Great experience
Alan & Andre were fantastic. Tour was very informative. We enjoyed the tour and the atmosphere presented by the guys
