easy
2–3 hours
Participants should be able to walk steadily on uneven floors and descend stairs without difficulty.
Descend beneath Rome’s streets with Touriks for an intimate small-group tour of the Roman Catacombs and St. Clement’s Basilica. Discover rare frescoes, ancient temples, and stories of early faith hidden underground.
3hrs • The best of Rome's Underground
Embark on an unforgettable journey beneath Rome, exploring the hidden wonders of St. Clement’s Basilica and the labyrinthine Roman Catacombs. Discover ancient cults, stunning frescoes, and the best-preserved Mithraic temple, all while guided by an expert in a small group. Experience the rich history of faith and persecution in this mystical underground world.
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 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 flavor. 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.
Meet at the Via Francesco Giambullari 4. Please arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled start time.
Uneven stone floors and narrow passages require sturdy footwear for safety and comfort.
Temperatures underground remain cool year-round, around 15°C (59°F), so dress accordingly.
Flash photography is prohibited to protect delicate frescoes. Use natural light only.
Groups are capped low to ensure an intimate experience and better access to restricted sites.
The Roman Catacombs served as both burial sites and clandestine worship spaces during times of religious persecution in the early centuries AD.
Strict preservation rules protect these fragile underground sites; visitor numbers are limited to minimize environmental and structural impact.
Necessary to navigate uneven stone surfaces safely and comfortably.
Keeps you warm in the cool, stable underground environment.
Useful for carrying water, guidebooks, and small personal items.
For capturing the ambiance without damaging artwork.