Catacombs of Rome

Catacombs of Rome

During the ancient Roman period, burying the dead within the city was not allowed, so most Romans were cremated. However, early Christians were unwilling to have their remains cremated, so they secretly built a network of tunnels and caves outside the city of Rome. These are the awe-inspiring Catacombs of Rome.

The Catacombs of Rome, also known as the Catacombs of the Martyrs, are ancient underground burial sites located beneath the city of Rome, Italy. The soft volcanic rock beneath Rome was ideal for tunneling because it is soft when first exposed to air but then hardens. The catacomb passages are extensive and can reach up to four levels deep. Most of the burials are Christian, but there are also tombs of pagans and Jews, buried either separately or together. Although the bodies are no longer present, the catacombs still preserve ancient Christian frescoes and altars. At least forty sections of the catacombs have been discovered only in recent decades. Among them, the Catholic catacombs are extremely important to the art history of early Christianity, as they contain a wealth of frescoes and sculptures dating back to the 4th century AD. The Jewish catacombs are similarly significant for the study of Jewish art from that period.

Catacombs of Rome

Must-visit reason: One of the largest catacombs in Italy

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/region where the attraction is located: Italy[Italy]

Province/state where the attraction is located: Lazio Region [Lazio Region]

City where the attraction is located: Rome [Rome]