Catacombs of Domitilla

2nd AD -noble peoples grave was beautifully decorated. And it is more than 12km long. We have to follow English guide to all Narrow alleys. Very interesting place. It’s 15 meter deep many levels from ground floor. Entrance we see underground church from 3rd Century. Covered by new wooden ceiling . 30 minutes tour was 10 euro.and tour was great

Visiting the catacombs in Rome was one of the most memorable and unique parts of our trip. It’s not something you can just walk into on your own—you need to join a guided tour, which we actually booked through Airbnb. It was a small group, which made the experience much more personal and easy to follow. Highly recommend going this route rather than a large bus tour. The underground tunnels, ancient Christian burial sites, and historical context give you a whole new appreciation for the layers of Rome. Definitely worth setting aside time for, even if it’s a bit outside the city center.

An incredibly interesting and slightly unnerving site with miles of underground burial chambers and crypts. Our guide was incredibly engaging and we learned so much about the history of the site and its purpose over the centuries. There are no photos allowed underground and the visit involves uneven walkways and ground.

The Catacombs of Domitilla. Originally a posh pagan burial ground, it got co-opted by early Christians who said, Nice tombs, we got it from here, and promptly painted over mythology with Jesus and sheep. Domitilla herself donated the land, possibly just trying to be helpful, possibly aiming for posthumous saint clout. Of course, centuries of pilgrims, looters, and time didn’t do the place any favors. Frescoes faded, bones wandered, and ancient graffiti proves people have always loved defacing sacred spaces. People suck! Today, it’s a cryptic maze of faded glory, damp walls, and half-visible halos, perfect for anyone who likes their history with a bit of holy chaos. If only ring doorbells existed in the 2nd century. This is a must do.

The place is very interesting and well prepared for tourists. I went there by bus and it was just fine, there are multiple options from Termini. The guide was knowledgeable and passionate. I wish the tour was longer and not so rushed - it only takes around 45 minutes in total, and sometimes we would walk through the corridors and chambers very quickly to avoid other groups, it would be much better to get some time to admire the details. I wish also that they weren't so strict about photos - normally it is fine to take photos on graveyards, and this one hasn't been used for 1500 years - but I respect the local rules.

No bones to see her and no pictures, however, it's a unique experience walking through these ancient catacombs. I recommend the visit

We weren't permitted to take photos on the inside due to the location being an active church and sacred site. But it was definitely impressive. The tour guide was thorough and educational. Very thorough on the history of the catacombs. There was no wait to get in and the ticket was relatively easy to get, but they do tend to sell out.

Super interesting. We took 2 hours tour. So much history. This place is amazing. To think they were able to create those graves 2000 years ago. Impressive and very informative.

A cool and unconventional tourist experience that's definitely worth checking out. Our tickets for the tour were inexpensive and the guide was wonderful. She was very clearly knowledgeable and an engaging speaker. Learning about the history of the catacombs and what has happened to those that were buried there throughout time was fascinating, but actually getting to see what remains of it was particularly interesting. This is considered a holy site, shoulders and knees should be covered out of respect. Also, as the catacombs are underground it can get very cold. Be sure to dress accordingly!

This is an amazing site in Rome. It was my favorite place that we visited in Rome, and possibly on my entire trip to Italy (which included visits to Florence, Naples, and Pompeii, so that is saying something). This ancient site has both historical and religious significance, of course, and it was a bit awe-inspiring being here. Our guide was quite good and very informative. This is the only one of the catacombs with an underground basilica, and the only one that still contains burial remains. My visit here made me wish I had planned to visit more of the catacombs in Rome. The frescos on the walls were in some cases surprisingly vibrant, and well restored (or on their way to being so). And it was really interesting to hear about the materials comprising the catacombs, and the particular properties of tuva rock that has helped keep the site in such excellent condition for nearly two millennia. The basilica is a site to behold; it's roof soars several stories above the floor of the space. I wish they allowed photos because it is just astounding. I would not hesitate to visit the Domatilla catacombs on a future visit to Rome, and would absolutely recommend them to anyone. This was a more fulfilling place to visit than the Coliseum. It may have helped that there was hardly anyone there when we visited--our tour had maybe 8 or so people, and there may have been one other tour before or after us, but it wasn't crawling with people inside and out. I was able to have a few meditative moments both within the underground basilica, and in the gardens outside. It was a really special time, to contemplate the history of the place, the religious significance and how this was a place built at a time when Christianity was in its infancy and its followers were subversive in their faith. I really gained a lot from my visit here, and I'm so glad that it's being well cared for to preserve this history. Though I've been raised a Christian, my family is not one that ever attended church very often. I've been growing my faith since that time, and I would welcome the chance to visit here again.

Ever wonder where Romans buried their loved ones in ancient times? Well, you came to the right place! The tour of the catacomb is cool (literally speaking) and fascinating. You cannot take pictures in the catacombs, but you can take them right outside. There's also an underground church right outside this catacomb. There isn't dead bodies visible during the tour, but you can see empty spaces where there had been a body. It's all light up now but it's amazing to think that people used to navigate this underground maze by just oil lamps. The exit is through the gift shop. There are also plenty of bathrooms on the property. ....| \ _ , , , - - , , _ , .../ , ` . - ' ` ' . _ \ - ; ; ; , _ ..| , a - ) ) _ . ; . ( ` - ` - ' - ' ' - - - ' ' ( _ / . _ ) - ' ( _ \ _ ) 2018

We visited the Funky Bones today ....... it was about 95 degrees outside (heat wave)and inside this burial ground , it was a cool 70+ degrees. Creepy creepy creepy.... if you decide to leave your group beware..... you might not return .... this place is a maze of places to lay me down to sleep ..... it was a little bit too short of a visit but worth it !

This is a total must-do when in Rome. You have to have a tour guide in order to explore the catacombs. And trust me, you'll want one. It is quite easy to get lost down there - and you won't be entirely sure of what you're looking at and why. (My personal recommendation is for the Dark Rome/City Wonders Crypts and Catacombs tour. Really great tour guides.) It's so creepy, cool, and amazing to wander the small paths, and marvel at what has been preserved, and think about how there are saints and martyrs buried here. Fun fact: Catholic mass is even celebrated sometimes down here. So much history! It was such an unusual and interesting tour. Do not miss out on this! (Tip: No photography is allowed. Don't be one of those tourists who can't obey the simplest of requests. And another tip: Be sure to dress for going underground. You'll want a jacket.)

This is probably a weird thing to admit, but for many moons, I've wanted to tour catacombs. I missed them on my last two trips to Rome, so I knew I had to fit a visit into my schedule this time around. I booked a Crypts and Catacombs tour for $80 through Viator, and am so glad I did! I may have been the youngest person on the tour by at least 25 years, but whatever -- it was an incredible opportunity. Having a professional guide walk us through these catacombs was a great addition. I would not have had the same experience otherwise. It was so much fun to learn about the history of the catacombs and the reasons why there are no longer any bodies in the tombs. It was such an enriching learning opportunity -- now I know so much more about the lives of Romans from thousands of years ago. We could only tour two levels of the catacombs, but that was plenty. We spent a long time down below navigating the tunnels and analyzing the sizes and shapes of tombs. You could tell who was affluent, who needed a little extra space for a big belly, and who was a child when they passed away. There were way too many spaces for children. At the end of the tour, I stopped in the gift shop and found little sculptures that looked interesting. I asked the clerk what the mechanism was used for and got an awkward reply: to drain excess fluids from bodies. I bought them anyway! They were only a few euro each. The grounds outside the catacombs are beautiful and well-kept, and you'll find snack machines and clean bathrooms to boot. FYI: No photos are allowed in the tunnels. I highly recommend visiting these catacombs for an out-of-the-box escapade!

The Catacombe's were interesting to explore. Thank goodness for our guide or we would have gotten lost very easily. I highly recommend this experience, its amazing that this was created.

I was so disappointed in this place! First off, the "tour" here is only about 30mins, 20 of which is sitting or standing listening to the guide talk about the history of catacombs and their significance. The actual time in the catacombs themselves was about 10mins!?! Secondly, I don't know how this place can call themselves catacombs when there are no bones here anymore!? You literally just walk down a few tunnels, in a room, down another tunnel, and then past the "last supper" painting and that is the extent of the tour!? This place is a total ripoff for 8 euro and a complete tourist trap! I have no clue how it came so highly recommended on so many different travel websites and guidebooks! I even asked the desk clerk, who I bought my ticket from, if I was missing something because that could not have been it and where the bones were, since there were several pics on various websites of skulls and bones. She said they have not had bones since the catacombs were excavated and that if I saw that I must have confused it with the catacombs in Paris. Seriously? I definitely do not recommend this place at all! I am sure there are better catacombs in Rome to be toured, or save yourself the money and walk through some subway tunnels, it is about the same experience.

Totally overrated and a very poor value for the money. Tour did not start on time. If there are more than 10-12 people in the tour, those in the rear cannot understand anything that the tour guide is saying. This makes for a completely uninteresting experience.

Great experience. Very interesting tour. Especially enjoyable to visit on a hot humid day. Took the bus to get close to the site and had to walk the rest. Not too bad. Sehr interessante Führung, vorallem ideal zu besuchen, an einem heißen, schwülen Tag.

Went here as part of our tour with the Roman Guy so I have no info on the actual entrance fee & the tours they provide onsite. I have a slight fear of ghosts, but decided that I was going to be brave & do the catacombs tour. Always braver when you're in groups. Anyhoo, you'll descend down some stairs into an old Roman church before descending further into the catacombs. As you go further down, the newer the catacombs are. The first floor is the oldest & the Romans kept building down as more room was needed. Keep in mind that the tombs are smaller since the Romans were smaller in size back then. Way too many spaces for children though. You can definitely tell who was more affluent in these tombs. The paintings on the walls inside each burial chamber were beautiful as well. I did have a slight creep out factor in one of the rooms: my hair got touched & no one was behind me, no wind either, meep! On a completely different note, if you pay attention, there's some 1700s graffiti on the passageways as well. How rude & a weird place for a date... Also sad is that these chambers were broken into to steal treasures. Too bad there weren't anything of value to them... I would definitely suggest coming to experience this. You don't see any actual bodies here unlike the ones in France ;) REMINDER: No photographs beyond the church! Be respectful!

The admission price is 8 Euros... the experience is priceless. Do ask when you go if you can latch on to a group that is being guided (if you're not already part of a tour group). You'll start by descending two stories worth of steps just to get into the basilica (which is primarily underground in modern times). Remember, ancient Roman stuff is, on average, 15 to 20 feet below modern Rome. Now - enjoy and respect the beautiful ancient church you're in. Examine the marble fragments on the walls, check out the sarcophagus on your right as you entered the room. Then, continue down several more levels to explore the catacombs themselves. It is an awe-inspiring experience. Remember, no picture-taking is allowed. Take note of the size of the tombs - people were tiny back then - and remember that the mortality rate among children was quite high. I learned that there are still about 900 sealed Christian tombs around Rome... however, there are about 120,000 total... those dang barbarian hordes defiled most of them looking for treasures. This was a humbling and meaningful experience for me - and though I don't know if I would return... I recommend anyone interested in the earliest Christians in Europe make a stop here.