Rome's Dark Side: Ghosts, Scandals and Crypts - Small Group Tour
Description
Discover the dark events and secrets that made the history of Rome. Get exclusive access to a secret underground crypt of the confraternity of Death, which has been closed for decades! You'll learn about the REAL dark events that shaped the city of Rome the way we see it today. Public executions, legendary deaths, corrupted popes.. and a mysterious fraternity taking care of the dead bodies found in the streets. Not just a bunch of silly ghost stories, but real history! All this while walking through the backstreets and little alleys of the historical center of Rome, after the busy tourist hours. We'll find ourselves in front of a church with skulls on its facade. We'll knock at the door and the door will open. The nun of the fraternity will let us underground the church, in the crypt. Chandeliers made of real bones, the skulls of the brothers and sisters, with their names carved on their foreheads. After this tour you'll see things from a different perspective.
Tour Options
Itinerary
This is where your guide will meet you.
This bridge is where you'll meet the first ghost of the tour. She was a very ambitious woman in life. Locals have seen her appearing on this bridge multiple times, while she ran away with her money..
Have you noticed the skulls on the facade? This is the church of the Confraternity of Death, a fraternity that still exists today. This church has been closed for over a decade, but we'll make appointment with the nun of the fraternity. She'll open the door of the church and its crypt just for us. Little spoiler: in the crypt you'll find chandeliers entirely made of human bones!
We'll see (from outside) a haunted palace. Here we'll also learn the ghost story of a pope and his scandals. His ghost has appeared multiple times in this very square
This lively and cheerful place used to be the location of public executions. Here the heretics were burnt alive in front of everyone. That is why there is a statue in the center of the square frowning at a specific direction..
This beautiful piazza is home to many terrible stories. Including the innkeeper that talked too much. Can you spot his head?
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(36)
Great stories! The church and crypt were very interesting to visit.
Thank you so much! We're so happy you enjoyed the tour!
It was a lovely small group. We had a great walk round listening to stories and seeing places I wouldn't ordinarily notice! Some places I walked past so many times but never realised the stories and bits of history linked to them. The guide was great, she shared so much more interesting anecdotes and she was really open to questions! If you are looking for something a little different this is definitely for you - I have been to Rome many times so was looking for something new and this did not disappoint. The 2 hours just flew by so fast and I will definitely book another next time I visit - thank you!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such beautiful words! We're super happy you enjoyed the tour with us! 😊🧡
We were delighted the group was so small, better experience. We find out a lot, Francesca was lovely and served stories in very interesting and funny way. I liked interaction with the group. The rain was lashing, but even that didn’t ruin the atmosphere, and it was nice. Fee was reasonable, and the 2,5 hours tour was just right.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such beautiful words! We're so happy you enjoyed the tour with Francesca!
Absolutely awesome informative tour
Thank you so much! :)
It was well worth it! I loved just walking around to different areas and learning little tidbits of local lore and history! I would definitely do it again. It was a very small group which made it even more enjoyable. I will definitely do it again when I come back with different people and I will try their other tours as well.
Thank you so much for your wonderful words! We're so happy you enjoyed this experience with us :) Hopefully see you very soon next time!
Friendly, professional guide. Ideal small group, at a gentle pace. Plenty of information given and lots of opportunity for questions and interaction. Loved the little church and its history. Thank you
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're so happy you enjoyed the tour with us! 😊
The guide was super nice and professional (Federica) and made sure that evereyone was with us. A lot of interesting stories an a marvellous visit in the crypt!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write these kind words 😊 Hopefully see you very soon again!
Highly recommended! Our guide was engaging and fun. My kids and I had a blast!
Thank you so much! We’re so happy you and the kids enjoyed the tour with us! 😊🧡
A very interesting Tour that weaves historical knowledge into some murder mistery stories so history becomes interesting to teenagers .
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're so happy the family enjoyed the tour! 😊
My tour on the 7th was amazing! It was a lovely small group and the guide (and my other tour members!) were perfect - we had a great walk round listening to stories and seeing places we wouldn't ordinarily notice! Some places you have probably walked past but never realised the stories and bits of history linked to them. The Crypt was so interesting and it's church was just beautiful. Thank you to Sister Molly for being so kind as to let us visit - she's doing an amazing job looking after the church. If you are looking for something a little different this is definitely for you - I have been to Rome a few times so was looking for something new and this did not disappoint. The 2 hours really did go by so fast and I will definitely book another next time I visit - thank you!
Thank you so much for your beautiful words! 😊 we’re so happy you enjoyed the tour with us and all the dark stories of Rome! Hopefully see you very soon! 🙌
