Catacombs in Rome with Private Transfer
Description
For many visitors to Rome, a trip to the catacombs is one of the most moving and memorable parts of their holiday. While a visit to the Appian Way is worthwhile in itself – as you walk along the ancient cobblestones past vast tombstones and spectacular countryside you feel as though you’ve been transported back in time – a tour of the catacombs is undoubtedly the main highlight. Venture deep underground in a private tour to explore the incredible tunnels that were dug out by hand nearly 2,000 years ago and learn all about the very beginning of Christianity. This is a side of Rome you’ve never seen before.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The word “cemetery” comes from an Ancient Greek word which meant “place of rest”. The catacombs of Rome provided a resting place for the first generations of Christians, awaiting their resurrection and salvation in their tombs, deep beneath the ground on the outskirts of Rome. From martyrs to farmers, hundreds of thousands of early Christians ended up in the catacombs, buried close together in a maze of underground tunnels beside the Appian Way. The catacombs are so extensive that you could easily get lost and never find your way out again – a good reason to go with a tour guide! For many visitors to Rome, a trip to the catacombs is one of the most moving and memorable parts of their holiday. While a visit to the Appian Way is worthwhile in itself – as you walk along the ancient cobblestones past vast tombstones and spectacular countryside you feel as though you’ve been transported back in time – a tour of the catacombs is undoubtedly the main highlight. Venture deep underground to explore the incredible tunnels that were dug out by hand nearly 2,000 years ago and learn all about the very beginning of Christianity. This is a side of Rome you’ve never seen before. The catacombs of the Appian Way are essentially the underground graveyards of the first Christians in Rome, who had to bury their dead outside of the city. Even as early as the 5th century BC, burials within the city walls were forbidden, so tombs were built on the outskirts of Rome. As an important consular road connecting Rome with the south, the Appian Way was a popular spot for burials. While many Romans built elaborate tombs by the roadside, the Christians buried their dead in labyrinthine catacombs. Miles of underground tunnels were built by digging through the soft tufa stone, providing burial space for saints and martyrs as well as countless ordinary Christians.
You walk along the ancient cobblestones past vast tombstones and spectacular countryside you feel as though you’ve been transported back in time.
The small church of Quo Vadis is a small church situated in the Appian way, it's the church where, legend tells, Christ met Peter as he was fleeing Rome; there Christ asked him "Quo Vadis?" (where are you going?).
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick up at your accomodation (hotel, B&B, apartment). Please confirm us the pick up address. N.B.: If your accomodation is not in the area indicated on the above map, send us a message to arrange your pick up.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Dress code required: knees and shoulders must be covered
- According to the Vatican regulation the entrance in the catacombs is organized in groups.
- People with claustrophobia may find difficulties inside the catacombs.
Reviews(20)
Very informative and interesting! Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and took the time to answer our questions thoroughly
Thank you for your review! We hope to see you again in Italy with us!
Visiting the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian was our third tour with Francesco. Like our other tours, Francesco arrived with a driver, making it super easy to navigate the trip outside Rome’s city limits. Seeing the multi-level underground tombs was a really moving experience, with a few unexpected highlights, including a marble slab believed to bear the footprints of Jesus Christ, the last marble sculpture Bernini created before his death, and the 2nd-century Necropolis hidden in the catacombs. After the catacomb tour, Francesco took us on a walking tour along the historic Appian Way and by the Mausoleum of Caecilia Metella. It was an interesting contrast between the burial site of many vs that of a nobleman. Overall, a really enjoyable tour. This few-hour tour is perfect for someone who may want to add something a little off the beaten path in order to experience something most who visit Rome may miss.
Thank you so much for your description about the Catacombs tour! We hope to see you again in Rome!
Francesco was a very friendly, informative and helpful guide as we made our way down the Appian Way to the catacombs. We learned many interesting little stories about the history of both the Appian Way and the catacombs. Our driver Sergio, was also expert as easily made his way around Rome with ease. Highly recommend.
Thank you so much for these words. We hope to see you again here in Rome with us!
An unforgettable experience with a real time travel and a guide who accompanies us and gives us all the secrets
Merci beaucoup pour votre avis positif ! Nous sommes ravis que vous soyez satisfait e. À bientôt !
Fun and interesting activity. Juliana our guide has been great in taking care of us. Driver was also punctual and helpful
Hello! Thank you so much for your sweet review, thank you so much for taking your time to write it. Hope to see you again!
Excellent tour; the guide directed his tour to the grandchildren; their first time to Rome and they loved the presentation; since their was a railway strike pending the guide went the extra mile and took us to Rome terminal railway station and made sure we got our tickets to leave prior to strike; well done and heartfelt thanks
Thank you for sharing your experience with our community, we hope to be able to accompany you in more experiences in the future!
Our guide, Francesco, was wonderful. He and our drivers were very accommodating. Francesco had great knowledge of the city and Roman times. We had a great afternoon.
We are so grateful for your 5-star review. Thanks for sharing your experience with us and the community!
Gloria was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable and kindly. The tour is highly recommended and intersting.
Thank you so much for your kind review, hope to see you again soon!
It was very interesting and informative however there was no value for money Could have had the same experience with out the private transfer and the tour leader which added very little to the experience
We thank you for your review, we'd like to you notice the fact that there was a private transfer always at your service throughout the tour and a tour leader that during the trips explained the various monuments encountered. we hope to see you soon.
Good Communication from the Tour Company. Picked-Up at our hotel on time. Very Friendly Driver and Tour Operator Julianna could not have been more pleasant and helpful, especially with our 35 Year Old Daughter with Down's Syndrome. The Tour Guide was very informative and personable. Highly Recommended.
We are so grateful for your review. Thanks for sharing your rating with us and the community.
