Catacombs Tour & Appian Way Walk
Duration
about 3 hours
Skip-the-line tickets
Pick up at your hotel & Drop off
Private Transportation
Professional Guides
Activity level
moderate
Sights Included
– Church of St. Nicholas
– Circus of Maxentius
– See where the early Christians were buried
– Learn about the roots of Christianity
Tour Description
Our Catacombs Tour and Appian Way Walk will allow you to explore two fascinating sights, and learn about both ancient Roman and early Christian history.
Your guide and your driver will pick you up at your hotel, and you’ll reach the Appian Way.
Then, you will start your walk on one of the best-preserved ancient Roman roads, which cross a lovely park full of pine trees and green grass.
1. The Appian Way
The Appian Way is the most important Roman road.
Its construction started in 312 B.C., and it helped the Romans to conquer large parts of the south of Italy.
Originally built to mainly move soldiers, it later became a crucial land communication route between Rome and the south of the Peninsula.
The Appian Way hit many important cities, like Capua (the second biggest city in Italy back then) and Benevento, and it ended in Brindisi, a major port in Puglia.
Here, the travelers could easily embark to reach Greece or the eastern Mediterranean.
You will be able to put your feet on the original ancient Roman cobblestones and see many beautiful ruins.
2. The Tomb of Cecilia Metella and the Circus of Maxentius
During your Appian Way walk, your professional guide will show you the tomb of Cecilia Metella, the daughter-in-law of Crassus.
He was an ally of Julius Caesar and one of the most important men in Roman history.
Cecilia Metella was buried in a large, round tomb which later was turned into a castle. It’s the most fascinating and iconic building in Rome.
In front of it, you will see the ruins of the church of St. Nicholas, one of the few Gothic churches in Rome.
Your guide will also tell you about Spartacus, the legendary gladiator who rebelled against the Romans and was defeated – after three years of conflict – by Crassus, who crucified about 5000 of Spartacus’ men along the Appian Way.
You will also see the Circus of Maxentius, a gargantuan complex where the emperor Maxentius hosted chariot races for himself and his guests’ entertainment.
3. The Catacombs of St. Sebastian
Then, it’ll be time to go underground.
Your Catacombs Tour will continue at the Catacombs of St. Sebastian, a fascinating underground cemetery where St. Sebastian was originally buried.
Why were the catacombs built underground, and how?
Is it true that the Christians used to hide there to escape persecution? Your guide will have all the answers.
You will walk through never-ending tunnels carved in the natural bedrock, see the frescoes and the stuccoes, and learn about the life of the early Christians.
At the end of your Catacombs tour, you will also visit the Basilica of St. Sebastian, one of the most beautiful churches in Rome.
Then, your driver and your guide will take you back to your hotel, or wherever you prefer in Rome city center.
Get out of the city center for one day, and enjoy a relaxing walk on the Appian Way, followed by a tour of the most famous underground cemeteries in the world!
In the catacombs, you will have to join a group tour led by a guide from the catacombs staff. We apologize for that, but private tours are not allowed in the catacombs. The rest of the tour will be private, and you’ll have your own personal guide.
The order of the sights visited might change, and in case the Catacombs of St. Sebastian are closed you will visit the equally beautiful catacombs of St. Domitilla or St. Callistus.
You MUST bring an ID, a passport or a driver’s license to enter the sights.
Your knees and shoulders must be covered to enter the Catacombs
In the catacombs, you will have to join a group tour led by a guide from the catacombs staff.
We apologize for that, but private tours are not allowed in the catacombs. The rest of the tour will be private, and you’ll have your guide.
This is the price for groups of one to six people. If you have more people in your group, please let us know and we’ll create a customized price.
59 € per additional person
in a Mercedes van or car
if in Rome city center
Whatsapp,
or call us at +39 376 165 1457 Tour Itinerary
Italian ArtVentures' Feedbacks
Your guides are so friendly and knowledgeable. They made the history accessible and enriching.
You covered every detail, down to lunch reservations, business class train tickets and wonderful air-conditioned transportation with friendly drivers!
Thank you again for all the e-mails to develop a personalized itinerary for a special trip! We give you 5 1/2 stars on a 5 star scale!
