What are they?
The catacombs are human burial passageways underground for religious purposes. Any chamber used for burial is considered a catacomb even though this word is mostly associated with the Roman Empire. The Catacombs of Rome are ancient underground burial chambers that are from the second to the fifth century and were used by mainly Christians and Jews. This is another huge cultural and historical unique ruins to visit and tour. The catacombs were considered sanctuaries of the martyrs.
How many are there?
There are five main operating locations open to the public with tours to choose from. All of the catacombs entry fee that is standard of 8 euros comes with a guided tour.
Where are they?
There are three options south of the city and two north. All of them offer paid tours included in the entrance fee. There are three catacombs in the state park south outside the city. The park holds the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, the catacombs of St. Sebastian, and the Catacombe di Domitilla. These hold a second century fresco of the last supper and 15km of catacombs and a sunken church. The fourth option is the catacombs of Priscilla a 15 minute drive north of the Trevi Fountain. The fifth option is Santi Marcellino and Pietro catacombs. The catacombs range from 20 minutes to an hour and a half outside the city center.
How do I decide which one?
The most visited catacomb that is the most well known but also has the longest lines and waits is the Catacomb of San Callisto (south of the city). The Catacomb of Domitilla is the largest and oldest of the catcombs and is often people’s favorite choice. The tour groups seem to be smaller and a better experience here. The Catacomb of Priscilla is north of the city and is known for having debatably the best early Christian frescoes in the world. This catacomb has 3rd-century chapel with painted Biblical scenes. The easiest catacomb to reach from Rome is the catacomb of St. Agnes. You take the 90 express bus from in front of Termini station; it stops right at the wall of the convent complex where the catacomb is located. Tell the driver that you want to go to Sant’Agnese (SAHNT ahn-YAY-zay.) You can also take the metro B to the Bologna stop, and change there to the new B1 line, which stops at the catacomb.
Catacombs
1. Catacomb of San Callisto
This is a historical landmark of ancient Christian burial tunnels with 3rd-century frescoes & the crypts of martyrs & popes. These are known as some of the largest and most important in Rome. In advance booking for mass with a priest or bigger groups more information here.
Hours
9 a.m. -12 p.m. – last visit 12 p.m.
2 p.m. – 5 p.m. – last visit 5 p.m.
Open daily, closed on Wednesday.
The catacombs of St. Callixtus are open all year round, except on:
– Christmas (25th December),
– New Year’s Day (1st January)
– Easter Sunday
– Winter break: From January 24th to February 20th 2019.
Cost
The price is € 8.– full price; € 5.– reduced fee.
Reduced Fee:
- for school classes (any range of school), having a certificate from their School;
- for kids 6-15;
- for soldiers and police in uniform or with identification card.
Free entrance:
- to kids 5 or younger;
- to Professors, teachers and catechists accompanying students groups – one per 15 students allowed;
- to the disabled, with a helper;
How to get there
By the tram this is a 78 minute ride with no changes unlike the long and complicated bus route changing busses several times. You will leave from Bioparco and walk to Spagna. You will wait for the orange line A called Anagnina. You will ride to the Arco Di Travertino Exit at Via dell’Arco di Travertino. Then you have about a 30 minute walk to the catcombs. You can see and follow the route on the app Mooveit here.
2. Catacombe Domitilla
This is a historical landmark of an ancient Christian burial site. There are tours available through 15km of catacombs with a sunken church & 2nd-century fresco of the Last Supper.
Hours:
From Monday to Sunday:
from 9:00 to 12:00 – from 14:00 to 17:00
TUESDAY CLOSED
(The last guided tour begins 20 minutes before
closing in the morning and afternoon)
Cost:
The cost of the entrance ticket includes a guided tour.
Adults: € 8.00
Children from 6 to 15 years: € 5.00
Children: from 0 to 5 years: FREE
How to get there
This trip by bus would be around an hour trip by public transportation, not to mention at least one bus change on the route. This is complicated and not the best option. The best option is the metro. Leaving from Stazion Tiburtina, you will wait for the blue line B Laurentina. You will stay on for one hour and get off on the tenth stop called Garbatella. Exit at Via Giacinto Pullino. You can see this route on the Moovit app here.
3. Catacombs of St. Sebastian
This is a historical landmark of ancient tunnels used as an underground tomb, named after St. Sebastian, a martyr who is buried here. These are some of the oldest catacombs in Rome. For more information and booking tickets check here.
Hours
Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, closed Sundays. The last entrance is at 4:30 pm for the day. Closure on the following feast days: 25th December (Christmas Day), 1st January (New Years Day). Annual Closure: December.
Cost
Standard Ticket € 8,00 Adults
Reduced Ticket € 5,00:
- kids 7-16
- Groups of students from primary and secondary schools with the student list.
- Students of archaeology, architecture, art history and cultural patrimony until 25 years old, upon presentation of sufficient certification.
- Priests, religious, seminarians and novices, upon presentation of sufficient certification.
- Children 6 and under are FREE!
How to get there
BUS: You can take the 118 bus from by the Colosseum to get to the Catacombe San Sebastiano. The ride takes 35 minutes each way. Tickets cost 1.50 Euro per person (purchased from one of the small souvenir shops / tobacconists / bars – not on the bus).
4. Catacombs of St. Priscilla
This is an archieological museum of a 13km network of tombs as well as a chapel dug into volcanic rock that is richly decorated with stucco & artwork. This catacomb had quite a few martyrs buried here. This catacomb is dedicated to the mighty Priscilla of Rome and has entry to the Benedictine sisters of Priscilla convent. There is the oldest picture of the virgin mary in this catacomb as well as a greek chapel with pompei style stuccoes adn paintings.
Hours
9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5pm daily
The Catacombs are closed on Monday
Cost
Ordinary ticket € 8.00
Reduced ticket € 5.00
Reduced tickets for kids 7-15 years old, schools with a letter accompanying the Institute, soldiers in uniform or with identification card. Limited parking.
Free
admission Children up to 6 years, teachers or school attendants (one free ticket for every 15 students), a group leader and a driver for each group of at least 20 people, disabled people.
How to get there
BUS
From the center: lines 63 and 83
From Termini Station: 92 and 310
Metro B: get off at Bologna and take line 310
For all lines get off at Piazza Crati
METRO
S. Agnese Annibaliano
Take Via Lago di Lesina and arrive at Piazza Crati (10 minutes walk)
5. Santi Marcellino and Pietro catacombs
This is an archeological historical landmark site of ancient Christian burial. This is the site of many Christian burials with beautiful frescoes. There is 18,000 square meters of chambers and they are 16 meters below ground. This is the only catacomb that you must have a reservation in advance and has the most limited availability and least flexibility daily.
Make a Reservation
email: santimarcellinoepietro@gmail.com
cell.: +39 339 65 288 87
tel.: + 39 06 24 194 46
Hours
Tours leave from the ticket booth 5 times daily, Monday-Sunday except closed Thursdays.
10:00am | 11:00am | 1:00pm |3:00 pm|4:00pm
Cost
(including guided tours)
Full ticket: 8.00 €
Reduced ticket *: 5.00 €
How to get there
TRAM: From the Roma-Laziali station (via Giolitti, Termini station): take the trenino (atac) in the direction Centocelle, and get off at the Berardi stop. The Catacombs are on the opposite side of the street.
BUS: from Termini station: Take bus n. 105 in the direction of Centocelle, and get off at the Berardi stop. The Catacombs are on the opposite side of the street.
BUS: from the Tiburtina train station: take bus 409 towards the Arco di Travertino and get off at the Torpignattara stop. Walk for 10 minutes along the Via Casilina until you reach civic number 641.
St. Agnes Catacomb
This archeological museum of ancient Christian burial sites is the easiest and fastest catacomb to visit in the city of Rome.
Hours
9.00am – 12.00pm (departure last visit 11: 30pm *)
2.00pm – 5.00pm (departure last visit 4: 30pm *)
- CLOSED: Sunday morning, religious holidays morning, Christmas and Easter.
- 2018 ANNUAL CLOSURE: from November 5th to December 1st. Reopens December 2nd.
Cost
Cash only! The cost of entry tickets includes a guided tour. Visits are guided, leaving around every 30 minutes. Reservations are required for groups over 10 people.
Ordinary ticket € 8.00
Reduced ticket € 5.00
– Children aged between 7 and 16 years
– Groups made up of students from schools and institutes (first and second degree) with an accompanying letter from the Institute.
– Archeology, architecture, art history and cultural heritage students up to the age of 25, who present themselves with adequate certification.
– Priests, men and women religious, seminarians and novices, who present themselves with appropriate certification
Free admission
– Children up to 6 years.
– Handicapped persons and any accompanying person ***.
– Students of the Pont. Institute of Christian Archeology (with ID card from the Pont. Commission of Christian Archeology).
– Priests and nuns belonging to the religious Family of the Custodian Community of the catacomb.
– Teachers, catechists or group leaders (one free ticket for every 15 students).
– Two free admissions for each group of at least 35 people who purchase the full-fare ticket.
– Tourist guides with a valid pass.
– Scholars, who documenting the object of their research, make a specific request to the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archeology (
How to get there
BUS
From the center (P.za Venezia): 60 EXPRESS
From Termini Station: 90 Nomentana / XXI Aprile
stop. Entrance from Via Nomentana 349
METRO B1 Stop St. Agnese / Annibaliano . Entrance from via di S. Agnese 3
