For visitors in Rome, the Catacombs of St. Callixtus is a history-rich place to visit. This was once the official cemetery of the Church of Rome, with thousands of people buried at this cemetery. These catacombs are also the largest and carry the title of being the most significant, underground burial sites in Rome.

Now, it is an excellent place for visitors to go and learn about the history of the Church of Rome.

Where To Find The Catacombs of St. Callixtus

Located on the right of Appian Way and after the church of “Quo Vadis?” lies the most important catacombs in Rome. But this is just the entrance of the catacombs, as the actual complex is 90 acres of land and almost 12 miles of tunnels that lead to a network of galleries. The catacombs also stretch 20 meters down, with five levels.

The catacombs are not for the faint of heart, because there is a lot of walking included in these tours. The tours will give visitors a lot of information and they get to go into the catacombs to see firsthand where people were once buried. While visitors might not walk all 12 miles, they will be exploring where the tombs once were, the artwork, and the architecture of the catacombs.

History Of The Catacombs

In the third century AD, the Catacombs of St. Callixtus was the official cemetery of the Church of Rome. These catacombs are named after the deacon St. Callixtus, who was assigned to the administration of the cemetery by Pope Zephyrinus. It is also believed that he was the one who created the catacombs, and he was also entombed in the catacombs he helped create.

The catacombs were created to be specifically for popes and Christian martyrs. But they eventually fell into disuse as the relics were translated from the catacombs and into various churches in Rome. The final wave was in the 9th century, under Pope Serius II. The catacomb remained hidden until 1854 by pioneering Italian archeologist Giovani Battista de Rossi.

What To Expect When Visiting The Catacombs

There are several rooms in the catacombs, all with different importance. Of all the rooms, probably the most important is one called “the little Vatican”, which is the official burial place of nine popes. In the catacombs are the tombs of 16 popes and 500,000 tombs of early Christians who were most likely persecuted for their religious beliefs. However, visitors will not be able to see the tombs as they were completely evacuated before the 9th century.

The catacombs are embellished with sculptures, paintings, and inscriptions on the walls. While these inscriptions hold documentary value, a lot of these inscriptions are also Christian symbols. These inscriptions offer information on the lives and customs of persecuted Christians. There are also still the rooms where the tombs once were, and visitors will get to learn about who was once buried there and how people were chosen to be buried in these catacombs.

Symbols In The Catacombs

While visitors walk through the catacombs they will notice several paintings and inscriptions along the walls. A lot of these are symbols from a time when Christians were being persecuted for their beliefs and had to communicate through symbols as to not be caught. A few of the symbols that visitors will see include:

  • The Good Shepherd
  • The “ornate”
  • The monogram of Christ
  • The fish
  • The Alpha and Omega

There are a few other symbols, but all have a representation of Christ and the Christians's faith in their belief. Many of these symbols represent some sort of divine peace, reaching heavenly salvation, or faith in their beliefs. These symbols have helped decipher and learn more about the lives and customs of early Christians, along with their persecutions.

For tourists visiting Rome, this is a must for anyone who is interested in history. This site offers a lot of history, from the ruins to the educated employees who are guiding the tours. Even for those that are not history buffs, it is amazing to walk around in ruins that are centuries old and have plenty to teach. From the sculptures to the empty tombs, there is always something to look at while walking around. Safe travels!

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Time And Cost Of Catacomb Tours

Visitors want to be sure to block out an hour of their schedule for this tour. It is full of information and they will be sure to have a lot of questions once they start going.

  • Time: Thurs.-Mon. 9am-12pm, 2pm-5pm. Closed Wednesdays
  • Cost: Free for children 6 and under, 5 € for children 7-16, 8 € for adults 16 and older

As always, these prices are dependent on which website visitors use to set up their tours. The groups must be in groups of at least two people, guided by staff. Tours start every 30 minutes and run around 40 minutes. The ticket booth does close at 4:50 pm. And the last tour leaves at 5 pm. Buying tickets online is a lot easier and guarantees visitors a spot in their desired time if they schedule it early enough.

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