Catacombs of San Callisto: a charming journey in Rome's underground
Everything you need to know about visiting the Catacombs of San Callisto: a long network of underground tunnels on the Appia Antica, among the most important and mysterious in Rome.
Catacombs of San Callisto: the tickets most chosen by travelers
The Catacombs of San Callisto: the largest and most important in Ancient Rome
The Catacombs of San Callisto, built around the middle of the 2nd century, represent one of the largest and most important underground cemeteries of Ancient Rome. A fascinating network of tunnels almost 20 km long, reaching a depth of over 20 meters. The catacombs occupy an area of 15 hectares of land between the Basilica of San Sebastiano and the small church of Quo Vadis, on the Via Appia Antica. The Catacombs of San Callisto became the official cemetery of the Church of Rome in the 3rd century. Considered among the most important in Rome because the tombs of 16 pontiffs and well-known martyrs, saints and Christians were found in them. Among the most sacred memories of the place, we find the Crypt of Santa Cecilia, and the Crypt of the Popes also called “the little Vatican”.
The catacombs are made up of an intricate network of tunnels and passages, which is why visits are only permitted with a dedicated guide, to avoid getting lost. The catacombs of San Callisto are the first burial place of Christians, and we can consider them a real underground city, full of surprises and twists that make the place one of the most suggestive and fascinating in the capital. Among the tunnels and mounds there are chapels and crypts with precious and wonderful Christian frescoes, dating back to the beginning of the 3rd century. The Crypt of Santa Cecilia stands out for its mosaics and frescoes, here is placed the reproduction of the statue of the martyr Santa Cecilia, sculpted by Maderno.
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Useful tips for visiting the Catacombs of San Callisto
Opening hours: The catacombs of San Callisto are open every day from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00; the ticket office closes at 16:50. Wednesday is closed.
Accessibility: No one can visit the catacombs independently; all visits are guided by authorized personnel. The catacombs can only be visited in groups (minimum 2 people). The temperature in the catacombs is around 16°C and the humidity is high, it is recommended to dress appropriately. There are architectural barriers that do not allow access to people with disabilities or with walking problems, given the presence of numerous steps. The visit is strongly discouraged for those who suffer from claustrophobia. You cannot take photos or videos inside the catacombs.
Tickets and costs: Entrance to the Catacombs of San Callisto costs 10 euros, children under 7 are admitted free of charge, there are guided tour options in various languages. It is always recommended to take advantage of the “skip the line” tickets to visit the catacombs during peak periods. It is highly recommended to choose a package that includes transportation, as the catacombs are in an area that is difficult to reach by public transport.
Reservations: Booked groups have priority over other visitors, to avoid queues and choose the most suitable time it is always recommended to book online and in advance.
FAQ about the Catacombs of San Callisto
1. How long does the visit last?
Guided tours of the Catacombs of San Callisto start every 30 minutes and last 40 minutes.
2. How deep are the Catacombs of San Callisto?
The catacombs at the lowest points are more than 20 meters below ground level .
3. How much does it cost to visit the Catacombs of San Callisto?
The cost of access to the Catacombs is 10 euros, there are guided tours in several languages. There is a combined package with the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano and a package that includes the “skip the line” ticket and the transfer included with departure and arrival from the Aracoeli Tourist Office (Piazza d’Ara Coeli, 16).
4. What is inside the catacombs?
Inside the Catacombs it is possible to walk through the underground galleries, admire important mosaics, frescoes, inscriptions and symbols of the first Christians. Inside the Catacombs of San Callisto of extreme historical and architectural value are the “crypt of Santa Cecilia” and the “Crypt of the Popes”, also called the “Little Vatican”.
5. What does the symbol of the fish in the catacombs mean?
The fish. In Greek it is IXTHYC (ichtùs). Arranged vertically, the letters of this word form an acrostic: Iesùs Christòs Theòu Uiòs Sotèr = Jesus Christ Son of God Savior.
6. How to dress in the catacombs?
The catacombs are sacred places, so visitors should dress appropriately. Furthermore, being underground they reach a temperature of 16°C, the humidity is very high and it is best to be well covered. The difference in height and the path on land require the use of comfortable and closed shoes.
How to get to the Catacombs of San Callisto
The Catacombs of San Callisto are in a green area, in the southern part of Rome, an area that is decentralized and not perfectly connected by public transport. Specifically, the catacombs are in Via Appia Antica 110, between the small church of Quo Vadis and the Basilica of San Sebastiano. Here are all the options you have to reach the Catacombs of San Callisto.
Subway: Line B, get off at the Colosseo or Circo Massimo stop. From here, continue with bus 118 (direction Appia/Villa Dei Quintili) to the Catacombs of San Callisto stop (Via Appia Antica, 110). Line A to the San Giovanni (in Laterano) stop. From here, continue with bus 218 (direction Ardeatina) to the Fosse Ardeatine stop
Bus: Bus 714 to the Navigatori stop. From here, continue foot for 1 km along Via delle Sette Chiese.
On foot: If you intend to reach the catacombs on foot, the best way is to take a scenic walk from the suggestive Appia Antica park.
Bicycles: The best option to reach the catacombs by e-bike (or pedal assisted, as the area is not flat) is from the Appia Antica Park, a ride in nature.
Car: There is a public car park in front of the catacombs, alternatively there is an internal unattended car park, access is from the intersection between the Via Appia Antica and the Via Ardeatina at the height of the Quo Vadis church (Via Appia Antica, 51).
Shuttle: reachable It is also possible to reach the Catacombs of San Callisto with the shuttle bus (included in the Catacombs of Rome organized tour package) departing from Piazza dell’Ara Coeli, 16.
