Catacombs of Rome, where everything speaks about Hope and Life.

by OMNIA Vatican&Rome - published on 11/26/2024

Anyone visiting the Eternal City is called to rediscover and feel part of the immense heritage that surrounds it. Rome with its basilicas, historical monuments, archaeological sites and famous catacombs is undoubtedly one of the favorite destinations for Christians wishing to strengthen their faith and get in touch with the millenary history of the Church.

Rome has always been the cradle of an immense cultural, artistic and religious heritage that through its monuments, the various catacombs of Rome, the many basilicas and fascinating undergrounds offers an indisputable testimony to the centrality of religion in the history of the city. These places not only reflect the faith and spirituality of their creators, but continue to be places of worship and pilgrimage for millions of people every year.

Affresco delle Catacombe di Priscilla
Frescoes - Catacombs of Priscilla in Rome

The month of November is a period dedicated to the memory of the dead and several celebrations are held in these places: this is a practice deeply rooted in the Christian faith, which invites people to pray for the souls of their loved ones and to reflect on the mystery of death and resurrection. Pope Francis and other popes have often stressed the importance of the month of November as a time of spiritual solidarity with those who have died, reminding us that praying for the souls of the deceased is an act of mercy and that "Cemeteries are places of memory, but also of hope: there rest those who have preceded us, waiting for the resurrection".

The theme of the 7th Catacombs Day was "From memory to prayer", in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee. During this day, even the catacombs of Rome that are usually closed to the public, were opened for free guided tours. Pope Francis himself has often stressed the importance of the catacombs as places of memory and hope for Christians, so much so that in May 2024, he said: "In the catacombs everything speaks of hope and life!".

Affreschi nella Catacomba di San Callisto
Frescoes - Catacombs of Saint Callixtus in Rome

It is clear how a visit to the catacombs becomes a fascinating and unique experience able to offer different cultural, historical and spiritual advantages and motivations: an extraordinary evidence of ancient funerary practices and social life of past times, as well as a window on the history of Christianity and other religions as a place of burial and refuge from persecution.

Within these environments we often find frescoes, engravings and symbols of early Christian or pagan art. They represent a very important opportunity to observe artistic expressions that would otherwise be lost and at the same time live spiritual and contemplative experiences that evoke deep reflections on life, death and eternity. For those who want to explore a different aspect of the cultural heritage of Rome and discover places full of stories visit the catacombs is undoubtedly an unmissable experience.

Catacombe di San Callisto
Catacombs of Saint Callixtus in Rome

Thanks to a cooperation between Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi and the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology it is possible to visit the most important catacombs in Rome such as those of Saint Callixtus, Saint Sebastian, Domitilla, Saint Agnes, Saints Marcellinus and Peter and the Catacombs of Priscilla. In this context, the urban pilgrimage as a "spiritual and cultural experience" within the city of Rome becomes very important. Unlike traditional pilgrimage to far and isolated places, urban pilgrimage focuses on routes that, cross city spaces, such as churches, shrines, historical monuments, and places of religious, cultural or symbolic significance. Therefore, even in a city context, we seek a moment of inner connection, walking through significant stages with a specific theme, such as devotion to a saint, visiting historic churches or discovering symbolic places linked to faith, such as the catacombs. Urban itineraries, therefore, to be considered as important opportunities to live one’s faith, or discover one’s city even if not inspired by a religious motivation.

Discover the beauty and spirituality of the catacombs of Rome and book your experience for:

OMNIA Vatican&Rome

For groups or independent travellers, OMNIA Vatican&Rome is the division of Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi – Vicariato di Roma that allows pilgrims and visitors to combine the discovery of the cultural, historical, archaeological and artistic heritage of Rome with the spiritual or religious inspiration that often led to its making.

Guided tours, dedicated access to the Vatican Museums, hop-on hop-off bus tour of Rome downtown, entrance tickets to the Colosseum and other attractions, accommodation services in Rome and three exclusive Rome city passes OMNIA Vatican&Rome: learn more and book online at www.omniavaticanrome.org.