Visiting the Catacombs of Rome: Experience & How to Go

The Entrance to the Domitilla Catacombs

We took a car tour of the city and Rome's outskirts. The day before, the children and adults had walked extensively around St. Peter's Basilica, and I thought they might be too tired for another long walk. Instead, we took an 8-seater van for the tour, and the vehicle was a Mercedes van. Everyone was able to relax and enjoy the sights comfortably.

The first destination we drove to was Catacombe Domitilla. As it turned out, catacombs are spread all around the outskirts of Rome, and this particular catacomb is one of the most famous ones.

What Are the Roman Catacombs?

The Roman catacombs are underground cemeteries created by early Christians between the 2nd and 5th centuries. These catacombs consist of long underground tunnels and burial sites, with more than 60 known catacombs around Rome. Even today, when excavation work is done, new catacombs are discovered. These places were not merely burial grounds but also served as secret places of worship for Christians during times of persecution.

Until the Roman Empire officially recognized Christianity, Christians were persecuted and could not freely practice their faith in public. While Roman citizens preferred cremation, Christians, believing in resurrection, favored burial. As a result, they buried their deceased in underground cemeteries located outside the city of Rome and held secret worship services there.

The word "catacomb" meant initially "near a tomb." In the 3rd century, the area outside the Aurelian Walls was called "Necropolis," meaning "city of the dead." Interestingly, this originates from the term "necropolis," often heard in movies.

As the number of burials increased in Rome, two solutions were adopted: building new tombs on top of old ones or digging underground burial chambers. Since limestone was needed for construction, quarrying naturally created cave-like spaces, which were then converted into tombs. After Emperor Nero persecuted Christians, the catacombs expanded significantly. At the time, a law stated that a criminal who entered a tomb could not be forcibly removed. Taking advantage of this, Christians sought refuge inside the catacombs, using them for worship, funeral ceremonies, and burials.

The catacombs extend five to six levels deep, and around five million people are estimated to be buried there. Burial sites were also created along the corridors, with tombs sealed using marble slabs.

By the 4th century, catacombs were no longer used for burials after Christianity was legalized and were transformed into sacred sites. However, after the fall of Rome, important relics and remains were transferred inside the city, leaving the catacombs vulnerable to looting. Grave robbers even ground bones into powder and sold them as "holy dust." Some visitors left their names inscribed on the walls.

One fascinating aspect is that while Christians held funeral ceremonies and burials in the catacombs, there was no tradition of visiting the graves for memorial services.

The Small Chapel of the Domitilla Catacombs

Underground Entrance

The Map of the Domitilla Catacombs

Unfortunately, photography was not allowed inside. Additionally, entry is only permitted with an official guide. There have been past incidents where visitors got lost inside, and some even went missing, so we were not allowed to go below the third level.

While most skeletal remains have been cleared, I still saw a few scattered bone fragments as we walked through. Inside, we saw a small chapel where Christians used to gather for prayer, as well as ventilation shafts.

Interestingly, even among Christians, those with wealth and power had access to more extensive, cleaner burial spaces and could afford to have wall paintings in their tombs.

Visiting this site could be a meaningful experience for those practicing Catholicism. Here, one can encounter the early roots of the Christian faith. Seeing the roughly carved images of Jesus and Mary made me reflect deeply on the essence of faith.