Underground Rome Tour

Your English-speaking chauffeur/guide will welcome you at your hotel or any other place of your convenience.

We will start the underground tour of Rome with a trip outside the Aurelian Walls and down the ancient Appian Way to the Catacombs of Rome. Here you will explore ancient burial grounds and learn about early Christian worship and symbology.

From the catacombs, we will head back toward the center, visiting three of Rome’s important churches along the way. The Basilica of St. John in Lateran is the official cathedral of Rome, presided over by none other than Pope Benedict XVI, himself. Just across the way is the Scala Santa, or “holy staircase,” that led to Praetorium of Pilate in Jerusalem; it was therefore, sanctified by the footsteps of Jesus during his Passion. The stairs were later brought to Rome from Jerusalem, upon request of the mother of Constantine, St. Helena.

A short stroll away is the ancient Basilica of San Clemente. Three layers tell the fascinating story of this church, dating back to the first century when the structure was a temple to the pagan goddess, Mithras. A Christian church was erected on the site in the 4th century, and the basilica we see today was finished in 1120.

Returning to the historic center, your chauffeur/guide will accompany you on a visit to the Capuchin Crypt, also known as the “Bone Church.” Few attractions in Rome rival this underground crypt created by the Capuchin Friars using thousands of bones of their fellow monks to decorate the walls and ceilings.

At the end of the tour, your English-speaking chauffeur will drive you back to your hotel or other area of your convenience.

What you’ll see: Catacombs of St. Callixtus, ancient Basilica of San Clemente, Basilica of St. John in Lateran and Capuchin crypt.
*Upon request, a local official guide can be provided for this tour. The price of the guide will be determined based on your specific interests and needs.

This tour length is 4 hours in total and is conducted by an English-speaking driver/guide that will not enter sites but drive you around and show you places, pointing out things while explaining what they are, as well as stopping at the places that require a visit and helping you access them.