Underground Rome

Description

Underground Rome

Over the centuries, Rome has been built upon itself many times, with new structures rising over the old, creating a fascinating multi-layered city.

What few people know is that today archaeologists have opened access to the city’s hidden depths, offering visitors the incredible chance to explore the underground world of Rome.

This tour is designed to take you beneath the surface of the modern city.

We begin at San Clemente, a 12th-century church. Descending its stairways, you’ll discover an earlier church perfectly preserved below, with frescoes and pillars still standing within its walls. Beneath that, excavations have revealed an even older level dating back to Roman times: a sanctuary of the mysterious Eastern god Mithras, where rituals once included animal sacrifices and ceremonies of blood.

Next, we continue to the Catacombs along the Appian Way. For centuries, both pagans and Christians buried their dead here, carving miles of tunnels—often on multiple levels—beneath the ground. Today, after human remains have been respectfully relocated, visitors can walk through the dark labyrinth of passageways, admiring the artwork, engineering, and haunting atmosphere of these ancient cemeteries.

In the city center, we’ll visit the striking Capuchin Crypt, where thousands of bones were used to create intricate decorations, a unique reflection on the transience of life and the glory of death.

Finally, we enter Palazzo Valentini, now the seat of the provincial administration. Its underground reveals a breathtaking fusion of modern technology and archaeology. Illuminated by colored lights, glass floors showcase mosaics, Roman baths, and the remains of ancient houses, bringing the city’s hidden past vividly to life.

What's included

All our tours focus on Art History and Archeology.

Highlights of the tour:

San Clemente: Catacombs: Capuchin Crypt: Palazzo Valentini:

Please note:
Transfer from site to site not included.