Capuchin Crypt, Christian Catacombs & San Martino ai Monti Tour with Transfers

The bone chapels

Your first stop is the Museum & Crypt of the Capuchin Friars, housing Caravaggio’s painting of St. Francis and many artifacts from the order's history of creating altruistic projects around the world. Lined along the rear end of the museum are the Capuchin Crypts: resting places of 4000 Capuchin Friars, whose skeletal remains were artistically arranged in the European tradition of memento mori, a simple reminder that all must die.

The sacred Christian catacombs

On a private AC bus, you'll travel along the ancient Appian Way to the extensive catacombs, dug into the ground some 2000 years ago. Follow your historian guide through the network of sacred tunnels associated with the first Christians in ancient Rome. Descend into the labyrinthian corridors carved into the soft volcanic rock as you discover intriguing iconography, fascinating frescoes, and breathtaking burial grounds. You will either visit the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, St. Sebastian, or Domitilla!

Basilica of San Martino ai Monti

San Martino ai Monti dates back to the 4th century, making it one of the oldest churches in Rome. It started as a titulus, an early Christian gathering place before Christianity was legalized, and was later transformed into a basilica. Beneath the basilica, you can explore archaeological remains including ancient Roman buildings and early Christian oratories. Since it’s just a short walk from the Colosseum yet often overlooked, this church is a hidden sanctuary in the heart of Rome.

Capuchin Crypt, Christian Catacombs & San Martino ai Monti Tour with Transfers

Embarking on a journey through Rome's shadowed past, visitors will delve into the crypts of Capuchin friars and ancient catacombs, where bones whisper tales of bygone eras. This tour weaves history and mystery, crafting an immersive experience for explorers of the macabre, devotees of sacred artistry, and seekers of Rome's layered narratives. With skip-the-line transfers providing ease and efficiency, this adventure allows guests to immerse themselves in eerie beauty, ancient relics, and hidden sanctuaries beneath the city’s surface. This haunting journey weaves together tales from the crypts with stories of catacombs, offering memorable encounters to forge a connection with Rome's rich past while understanding that each step into these hallowed halls is a passage through time itself.

Visit Capuchin Crypt's Bone Artistry

Visiting Capuchin Crypt during the tour’s highlight segment where 4,000 friars’ remains create hauntingly beautiful chapels, guests are enveloped by an atmosphere that speaks to both life and mortality. The walls, ceilings, and chandeliers meticulously crafted from bones and skulls offer a somber yet awe-inspiring view into the afterlife beliefs of these dedicated monks. With intricate designs like the Chandelier Chapel featuring over 2,500 skulls, this unique burial site serves as a testament to the cycle of life and death. Guided by an audio companion that reveals each chapel's story, visitors explore this eerie yet beautiful sanctuary where history and human spirit intertwine in a mesmerizing dance.

Experience Christian Catacombs' Underground Passages

Experience Christian Catacombs as part of the comprehensive itinerary featuring one of Rome’s legendary catacombs—Domitilla, St. Callixtus, or St. Sebastian—where ancient tunnels hold centuries-old secrets beneath the bustling city above. These subterranean networks offer a glimpse into early Christian burial practices and faith through intricate frescoes and tombs adorned with biblical scenes. Venturing deep into these dark chambers illuminates stories of persecution and resilience, painting a vivid picture of life in Roman times. The guided exploration ensures visitors uncover hidden layers of history amidst the cool, hallowed underground passages.

Discover San Martino ai Monti's Hidden History

Discover San Martino ai Monti representing the tour’s centerpiece where one of Rome’s oldest churches resides with fascinating underground levels that tell tales of ancient Rome. This 12th-century basilica stands as a testament to architectural and spiritual significance, featuring Romanesque columns and Baroque adornments inside its sacred space. Beneath its grand façade lie crypts and catacombs filled with remnants of the city’s earliest Christian communities. Guests are invited to delve into these shadowed corridors where history breathes through every stone, revealing a rich tapestry of faith and heritage.

Explore Colosseum's Architectural Marvel

Exploring the Colosseum included in the tour package enables visitors to stand within one of the world’s greatest architectural achievements. This iconic amphitheater, symbolizing Roman might and ingenuity, offers panoramic views from its upper tiers down into the arena where gladiatorial battles once raged. Its massive elliptical structure, measuring 189 meters long and 156 meters wide, is a marvel of ancient engineering with intricate details that continue to inspire awe among modern spectators.

Tour Highlights

• Skip hassle with round-trip transfers, creating easy exploration
• Step into Capuchin Crypt’s bone-chilling beauty, revealing 4,000 friars’ remains
• Venture deep into legendary catacombs—Domitilla, St. Callixtus, or St. Sebastian—immersing in ancient underground tunnels
• Uncover hidden history beneath Basilica of San Martino ai Monti, one of Rome’s oldest churches with captivating underground levels
• Explore Colosseum's grandeur and architectural marvels from its upper tiers
• Access Roman landmarks showcasing the tour’s cultural appeal where guests forge connections through unique experiences

Embark for explorers of the macabre, devotees of sacred artistry, and seekers of Rome’s layered narratives, this haunting journey weaves together tales from the crypts with stories of catacombs, offering memorable encounters to forge a connection with Rome's rich past while understanding that each step into these hallowed halls is a passage through time itself.