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Roman Catacombs & Undergrounds Tour with Touriks in Rome - Rome

Roman Catacombs & Undergrounds Tour with Touriks in Rome

Romemoderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

1.5–2 hours

Fitness Level

Participants should be comfortable walking and navigating uneven, narrow spaces

Overview

Descend into Rome’s underground world with Touriks’ private tour of the Catacombs and St. Clement’s Basilica. Discover secret tunnels, ancient frescoes, and the city’s hidden history beneath the streets. A must-visit for history lovers seeking a personal, immersive experience in Italy’s capital.

Walking Tour
Roma, Lazio

Private Tour of Roman Catacombs & St. Clement's Undergrounds

159€ • 3hrs • The best of Rome's Underground

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Adventure Photos

Private Tour of Roman Catacombs & St. Clement's Undergrounds photo 1

About This Adventure

Embark on a captivating journey beneath Rome, exploring the hidden wonders of St. Clement’s Basilica and the ancient Roman Catacombs. With a private guide, delve 16 meters underground to discover secret cults, stunning frescoes, and the best-preserved Mithraic temple, all while unraveling the city’s rich history and mystique.

Explore a surprising lesser-known gem in the city center before jumping outside the city walls to the maze-like Roman Catacombs.

Go 16m underground in a dark world of secret cults and ancient wall paintings with a private guided tour.


Highlights

  • Save time with pick-up, luggage deposit & drop-off in the city center
  • Descend in the dark maze of the Roman Catacombs
  • Be surprised by the 3-level underworld of St. Clement’s Basilica
  • Find an ancient Mithraic Temple and an underground river
  • Enjoy the quality of a private tour
  • Benefit from full on-site assistance

About

Explore 2 contrasting underground sights with an expert guide. Discover a hidden gem 14m below St. Clement’s Basilica and descend into the twisty tunnels of the Roman Catacombs.

Meet your guide in front of St. Clement's Basilica and venture deep underground below its foundations into a mystical world of ancient cults and legends. Journey through several layers of history and earth, down 14 meters below ground. Experience the excitement of gradually exploring the later structures built on top of it on your way up to the surface.

Go back in time down to the deepest point and discover the best-preserved Mithraic temple of the city. Find out about the pagan faith of Ancient Romans before Christianity and be intrigued by its sectarian and esoteric flavour. Touch the waters of an underground stream before going higher into the remains of the 4th Century Basilica, built on top of the martyr’s house and below the actual one. Walk along its imposing walls and be fascinated by the ancient frescoes while learning about the scenes and the lives of the martyrs they portray.

Then journey outside the city walls to one of the largest and most ancient Catacombs of Rome, the otherworldly crypts of Domitilla. Descend 16 meters below the surface and explore the accessible part of its vast labyrinth of underground burial chambers and galleries.

Be captivated by the ancient wall-paintings of mythological and biblical figures and relive the shift of faith from paganism to Christianity. Feel the power of prohibited belief and learn about early martyrs and persecutions. Complete your underworld experience in the 4th-century subterranean basilica.


Important information

  • An instant confirmation will be received at the time of booking
  • This is a private tour
  • This tour is not suitable for people with claustrophobia
  • You will need to be at the meeting point 5 minutes before the tour starts
  • An appropriate dress-code is required in order to enter the churches: knees and shoulders should be covered
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes: a moderate amount of walking is involved
  • This tour is not wheelchair-accessible
  • This tour is subject to weather conditions and/or liturgic-calendar events. If canceled you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
  • For environmental reasons, it is preferable that you bring your own earphones and do not print your voucher. We will provide earphones in case you forget yours
  • We suggest you do not trash your empty bottle of water since you can refill it everywhere in Rome for free

Meeting point

Meet at the TouriksPoint at Via di San Giovanni in Laterano 132, 15 meters from the Basilica of St. Clement. Please arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled start time.


Cancellation policy

  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the starting time of the experience
  • Refunds and/or amendments are not possible after the 24 hours
  • No refunds in case of no-show on the part of the customer
  • If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund

Adventure Tips

Wear sturdy, non-slip shoes

The underground chambers can be uneven and damp, so reliable footwear is essential.

Bring a flashlight or headlamp

Some areas are poorly lit, so extra light helps you see the detailed frescoes and inscriptions.

Book in advance

Private tours are popular; securing your spot early ensures availability for personalized guidance.

Respect the site

Please refrain from touching or damaging the delicate artwork and relics deep within the chambers.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Bats
  • Small underground insects

History

The catacombs served as burial sites for early Christians and peasants, often hidden to avoid persecution during Roman times, dating from the 2nd century AD onward.

Conservation

Touriks ensures minimal impact by guiding visitors carefully and maintaining the site’s integrity, helping preserve these historic underground chambers for future generations.

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Adventure Hotspots in Rome

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Sturdy walking shoes

Essential

Provides stability and traction on uneven, often wet surfaces underground.

Small flashlight or headlamp

Essential

Helps illuminate dark corners and enhances your viewing of frescoes and inscriptions.

Layered clothing

Underground temperatures stay constant, but dressing in layers ensures comfort on surface before and after.

all specific

Camera or smartphone with good low-light capabilities

Capture the intricate details of ancient frescoes and underground structures.