The Catacombs of Rome

One of the most interesting sites to visit in Rome are The Catacombs. The catacombs are located primarily outside the city walls of the city. Roman law at the time – 2nd century AD – prevented burial inside the city walls. In the Pagan religion, death was celebrated by cremation. The early Christian rejected this philosophy. The catacombs became underground cemeteries, used by the Christian and Jewish Communities. Besides burial places, they were also used as places of refuge during persecution, shrines to the martyrs, and centers of devotion and pilgrimage.

Because the Christians rejected cremation, (they preferred burial, just as Christ was buried) this position created a space problem. The Christians also faced the challenge of owning limited property. Thus the catacombs solved a few problems. It was far cheaper to dig underground than to buy more land! There is also the belief that the catacombs contributed to a sense of community – they wished to be together, even in the “sleep of death.” And lastly, since their religion in the 2nd century was “illegal” and they were often persecuted, these outlying areas provided refuge and privacy.

Once Christianity was legalized, the Christians were no longer persecuted. The catacombs were still the burial spot of choice until the fifth century when the Church returned to burying the dead above ground – or in basilicas. When the barbarians invaded Rome they destroyed many monuments and sites, and the catacombs were no exception. They were raided, pillaged, for centuries. Finally in the late 700′s and early 800′s the Popes moved the relics of the martyrs to the city churches for their security and protection. Thus, most of the catacombs were abandoned. Many were lost. In the 17th century, Antono Bosio, the “Columbus of of subterranean Rome,” began exploring the catacombs. His initial work was followed up by Giovanni Battista de Rossi, in the 1800′s, who is considered the father and founder of Christian Archaeology.

When you go down into the catacombs you’ll see many of the following:

• Loculi – these are the rectangular niches that are cut out of the walls. They were primarily for ONE body, but sometimes they did contain the remains of more than one person. The bodies were wrapped in a burial shroud – in imitation of Christ. There were no coffins – Christians were too poor. The loculi was then sealed by a slab of marble or more commonly, by tiles and mortar. You’ll see many open loculi as you walk through the catacombs – Sorry kids, no bodies….
• Arcosolium – Built primarily in the 3rd and 4th century, these tombs are much larger niches than the loculi. They usually had an arch above them and served as a burial chamber for an entire family.
• Forma – A tomb dug into the floor of a crypt – a practice that was carried over to churches in later times.
• Sarcophagus – You’ve seen plenty of these in your museum treks. These are the stone, or marble, coffins. Often they are dressed with inscriptions and sculptured reliefs.
• Cubicula – These rooms, translated as “bedrooms,” were actually multiple loculi. This collection of loculi represented a family tomb. Often these rooms were decorated with frescoes portraying biblical scenes.
• Crypt – An even larger room. Many martyr tombs were converted into Crypts.

There were more than sixty catacombs in Rome, each with many, many miles of corridors – all of this built underground. It was an incredible construction feat. Today there five primary Catacombs you can visit. CLICK ON ANY CATACOMB LINK BELOW for more information: 

• The Catacombs of San Callisto
• The Catacombs of St. Sebastian
• The Catacombs of Domitilla
• The Catacombs of St. Agnes
• The Catacombs of Priscilla

The information provided on each of these is time-bound, so do check closure times and dates before you make the trek out to the catacomb you’d like to see. Once there, you will have to join a tour – You cannot wander through the catacombs unescorted. Depending on your groups size, and your tour guide, the tours generally take about 30 minutes. Admission prices are rising, effective 01/01/2010, the prices will be 8 € full price; 5 € reduced fee.

The catacombs are closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Easter, and for one month in the winter for restoration. Again, check before you go! The next few posts will go through each of these catacombs, or CLICK THE CATACOMB LINK ABOVE to go directly to the catacomb you seek more information on!
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The catacombs of Italy are entrusted to the Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archaeology, which carries out the works of excavation, exploration and restoration and takes charge of preparing studies and aids (books, pamphlets, souvenirs, videos, etc.) for all the catacombs.
Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology
via Napoleone III, no. 1
00185 Rome, Italy
tel. +39/06/4465610
fax. +39/06/4467625

web site: www.vatican.va/roman_curia

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