Rome Crypts and Catacombs Tour

About this tour

Embark on the Original Crypts and Catacombs of Rome Tour with your expert historian guide, meeting in Piazza Barberini next to the Triton fountain, historically used for public corpse displays until the 1800s.

Get to see the Christian Catacombs, carved over 2000 years ago. Descend into the sacred tunnels associated with Rome’s first Christians, revealing frescoes, unique iconography, and dual-purpose burial sites.

Upon exiting the catacombs, return within the city walls to the 4th-century Basilica of San Martino ai Monti. Adorned with stunning frescoes from artists like Pietro Testa, Matteo Riccione, and Giannangiolo Canini, this lesser-known basilica houses the preserved bodies of three saints, offering a glimpse into the city’s fascination with death.

Your coach transports you to the Capuchin Museum, featuring an audio-guided tour illustrating the order’s history rooted in St. Francis’s ascetic ideology. Explore artifacts, including Caravaggio’s painting of St. Francis. Cap off your tour in the Capuchin Crypts, the final resting place of 4000 friars, showcasing the European tradition of Momento Mori—artistic displays prompting contemplation on death and immortality.

Highlights 

• Uncover the secrets of Rome’s first Christians in 2000-year-old catacombs with unique frescoes and burial sites.
• Visit the Basilica of San Martino ai Monti, a 4th-century church adorned with stunning frescoes and housing the preserved bodies of saints.
• Reflect on life and mortality in the Capuchin Crypts, where 4000 friars rest, showcasing Momento Mori traditions and Caravaggio’s art.