Rome: Underground Temples and Crucifixion Relics Walking Tour
Description
Take a fascinating journey through an underground pagan temple and four impressive churches to understand the very early stages of Christianity. See original relics from the Crucifixion of Christ and soil from the Holy Land. Please note: In the event that certain areas of one of the churches are closed, your guide will adapt the itinerary by highlighting alternative sites. As a result, the overall duration will remain unchanged
Tour Options
Itinerary
You will enjoy a fascinating journey deep underground St. Clement's Basilica, a few meters away from the Colosseum. You will go through three layers of ancient monuments built on top of each other, and learn about forgotten pagan cults, early Christianity, and mystic symbolism. You will visit the best preserved Temple of Mithras and touch the underground river flowing below the streets of Rome and below the Colosseum. You will marvel at ancient mosaics and at the stories they portray. You will appreciate the intimacy of a small group of maximum 10 people
Having learned about paganism, the early persecutions and the martyrs, make a walk to the Cathedral of Rome, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, and find out why it is known as “Mother and head of all churches on Earth”. Be impressed by the beauty of the golden interior and the ancient frescos and hear about Emperor Constantine and why he legalized Christianity in 313.
Learn about the Emperor’s mother, St. Helena, and her pilgrimage to Jerusalem to recover the artifacts, safeguarded by the early underground church in the Holy Land. Among those, see the Holy Stairs, the original stairs of the praetorium which Jesus climbed at his judgment.
Finally, walk to the church built with earth brought from the Holy land, the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem and see the other Holy Relics secured by Helena including a nail from the Crucifixion, the walnut board Pontius Pilate put above the cross as well as the wood of the Cross Jesus was crucified on. See also fragments of the wall from the cave of the nativity in Bethlehem and two thorns of the crown of the Passion of Christ.
Choose to extend your journey to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where stunning mosaics and sacred relics offer insight into the church's importance in Christian history.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please note: In the event that certain areas of one of the churches are closed, your guide will adapt the itinerary by highlighting alternative sites. As a result, the overall duration will remain unchanged
- An appropriate dress-code is required in order to enter the churches: knees and shoulders should be covered.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: a moderate amount of walking is involved.
- This tour is not wheelchair-accessible.
- This tour is subject to weather conditions and/or liturgic-calendar events. If canceled you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund.
- Not recommended for people with claustrophobia
Reviews(85)
The church where the crucifix relics is undergoing renovation so were unable to visit. The tour guide was great with explaining all details in every church we went in. Great tour.
Thank you! We are glad to hear that you enjoyed our tour!
This was a great tour for us and our guide was phenomenal! Unfortunately we weren’t able to see some of the expected relics due to an unforeseen incident but our guide made up for it by taking us to see other things that weren’t planned. We would highly recommend this tour!
Thank you for your review, we are glad to hear that you enjoyed our Underground Temples and Crucifixion Relics walking tour!
Best tour in Rome! Our tour guide Daniel was so educated about every church else visited. A spiritual experience if you are looking for that feeling.
Thank you so much, we are glad to hear that you enjoyed our Underground Churches and Relics tour with Daniel!
Excellent Tour and Guide. Daniel spent a great deal of time telling us exceptional stories of the different things we were looking at and going to. He was very patient and answered all our questions as well. The tour took us through several locations, all with very unique things to see. I would highly recommend this tour and Daniel!
Thank you! We are glad to hear that you enjoyed our guided tour with Daniel :)
Booked through Viator, we met our guide (Francesca) at the start of the tour to find out it was just us on the tour (3pm Tuesday) so felt like a personal one ! One of the churches on the tour was undergoing extensive renovations so Francesca took us to see something else instead. Really interesting tour (especially the first church on a church on a church on a house) dating back to 1st century. Incredible mosaics, paintings and tapestries going back thousands of years, well preserved or restored. The tour included a huge baptismal font (full body immersion) and the first church in Rome. Francesca talked our way though everything and was very knowledgable, but without being boring (a risk with any group tour is people asking questions about things you don’t care about or the guide has already described). She kept the tour at a pace we were happy with and we managed to squeeze everything in within a couple of hours - perfect.
Thank you! We are so grateful to hear that you enjoyed the tour with us. We look forward to seeing you again!
We met our guide (Francesca) at the start of the tour to find out it was just us on the tour (3pm Tuesday) so felt like a personal one ! One of the churches on the tour was undergoing extensive renovations so Francesca took us to see something else instead. Really interesting tour (especially the first church on a church on a church on a house) dating back to 1st century. Incredible mosaics, paintings and tapestries going back thousands of years, well preserved or restored. The tour included a huge baptismal font (full body immersion) and the first church in Rome. Francesca talked our way though everything and was very knowledgable, but without being boring (a risk with any group tour is people asking questions about things you don’t care about or the guide has already described). She kept the tour at a pace we were happy with and we managed to squeeze everything in within a couple of hours - perfect.
Thank you for your thorough review, we are happy to hear that you enjoyed the overall experience with us and the guide Francesca :)
A wonderful experience with our very knowledgeable guide David. He has a passion for the relics, their stories and the basilica’s. Thank you!!
Thank you so much, we are glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour with us!
Our tour guide was very informative! She was super friendly and answered all of our questions. It definitely felt like a very personal/intimate experience since it was such a small group. She was very easy to understand and so very sweet! Definitely recommend this tour and everything you get to see, loved it!!!
Thank you so much, we are glad to hear that you enjoyed our Underground churches and relics tour!
Excellent experience, some walking involved as with all, and Excellent guide! Beautiful churches, relics and steps are a must see!
Thank you for your kind review, we are so glad to hear that you enjoyed our Underground Temples and Crucifixion Relics tour!
A Wonderfilled Experience with our Tourguide on the Underground Temples and Crucifixion Relics tour with Touriks. Exploring Rome's religious history turned into a memorable event, educational, inspirational, blended with Humour and Purpose. Highly recommended.
Thank you for your review, we are happy to hear that you have enjoyed our Underground Temples and Crucifixion Relics guided tour!
