English
English
- Roman Catacombs
- Capuchin Crypt
- Catacombs of Saint Sebastian
- Catacombs of Domitilla
- Catacombs of Callixtus
- Catacombs of Saint Agnes
- Catacombs of Commodilla
- Catacombs of Priscilla
- History
- Appian Way
- San Nicola
- Christian Catacombs
- Jewish Catacombs
- Colosseum
- Vatican Museums
- St. Peter's Basilica
- Castel Sant Angelo
- Rome Pantheon
- Borghese Gallery
- Bioparco Rome
- Palazzo Barberini
- Musei Capitolini
- Leonardo da Vinci Museum
- Trevi Fountain Tours
- Altare della Patria
- Rome Underground Tours
- Mamertine Prison
- Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica
- Leonardo Express Rome
- Rome: Ostia Antica
Catacombs of Domitilla Tickets and Tours
Itinerary
TOTAL DURATION3 hours
MODE OF TRANSFERA/C Bus
START POINT
Piazza d'Aracoeli
Begin your guided tour from this central location in Rome, and end it at the Capuchin Crypt.
6 km
18 minutes
1
Catacombs of Domitilla
40 min
Tickets included
Home to some of the grandest cubicula around, these catacombs boast an intricate network of tunnels and a 2nd-century semi-undergound Basilica dedicated to Saints Nereus and Achilleus.
6.8 km
22 minutes
2
Museum & Crypt of the Capuchin Friars
Tickets included
This part of the tour is unguided – turn up your audio guide and independently explore the hauntingly beautiful chapels decorated by skeletal art, blending the macabre with the spiritual.
3
Peek under Rome at the Capuchin Crypt and Domitilla Catacombs, with all transfers included!
- Tread the same paths as early Christians in the Catacombs of Domitilla, the oldest catacombs in Rome!
- Get expert guidance in your selected language as you view tombs laden with frescoes and sculptures memorializing loved ones.
- On Tuesdays, explore St. Callixtus Catacombs instead. Appreciate the intricate décor and enjoy seamless transfers to your next stop.
- Unpack the history of a Franciscan 'First Order' in the Museum and Crypt of the Capuchin Friars using an audio guide.
- A series of tiny underground chapels with 'calcified' art make up its crypt, reflecting memento mori – a reminder of mortality!
Peek under Rome at the Capuchin Crypt and Domitilla Catacombs, with all transfers included!
- Tread the same paths as early Christians in the Catacombs of Domitilla, the oldest catacombs in Rome!
- Get expert guidance in your selected language as you view tombs laden with frescoes and sculptures memorializing loved ones.
- On Tuesdays, explore St. Callixtus Catacombs instead. Appreciate the intricate décor and enjoy seamless transfers to your next stop.
- Unpack the history of a Franciscan 'First Order' in the Museum and Crypt of the Capuchin Friars using an audio guide.
- A series of tiny underground chapels with 'calcified' art make up its crypt, reflecting memento mori – a reminder of mortality!
Inclusions
- Half-day tour around Domitilla Catacombs and Capuchin Crypt
- Guided tour of Domitilla Catacombs with entry (except Tuesday)
- Guided tour of St. Callixtus Catacombs with entry (only Tuesday)
- Expert English, Italian, German, French, or Spanish-speaking guide
- Round-trip AC coach transfers from central Rome
- Entry to the Museum & Crypt of the Capuchin Friars with audio guide
Exclusions
- Guided tour of the Museum & Crypt of the Capuchin Friars
- Tip: In the Domitilla Catacombs, keep an eye out for the restored 'room of the bakers' with its prophetic frescoes.
- This experience is not wheelchair accessible, and not recommended for those with claustrophobia or serious mobility issues.
- Strict dress code: Clothing that covers the knees and shoulders.
- Photography and videography is prohibited inside the catacombs.
- Please note that from now until January 14, the experience includes a visit to the Catacombs of San Callisto. Between January 15 and January 21, the focus shifts to the Catacombs of San Sebastiano. Starting January 22, visitors will explore the Catacombs of Domitilla.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Explore Rome’s second-largest catacombs, home to a rare underground basilica.
- Join an expertly led tour of the 17km-long tunnels in one of Rome's largest catacombs – Domitilla.
- 30 meters down, find a semi-underground basilica unique to the Catacombs of Domitilla, dedicated to martyrs Nereus and Achileus!
- Richly adorned tombs called cubicula contain decorative arches and Biblical frescoes like that of ‘Daniel with the lions’ and 'Noah's ark' .
- Hear all about early Christian burial practices and their significance from expert guides in your chosen language!
Explore Rome’s second-largest catacombs, home to a rare underground basilica.
- Join an expertly led tour of the 17km-long tunnels in one of Rome's largest catacombs – Domitilla.
- 30 meters down, find a semi-underground basilica unique to the Catacombs of Domitilla, dedicated to martyrs Nereus and Achileus!
- Richly adorned tombs called cubicula contain decorative arches and Biblical frescoes like that of ‘Daniel with the lions’ and 'Noah's ark' .
- Hear all about early Christian burial practices and their significance from expert guides in your chosen language!
Inclusions
- Guided tour of Domitilla Catacombs with entry
- Expert English, Italian, German, or Spanish-speaking guide
Exclusions
- Round-trip transfers from Rome
- Tip: Keep an eye out for a few cubicula depicting non-Biblical images, like Orpheus, or Spring and Summer with wings!
- This experience is not wheelchair accessible, and not recommended for those with claustrophobia or serious mobility issues.
- There are several irregular steps to descend and ascend, with no seating area or elevator.
- Strict dress code: Clothing that covers the knees and shoulders.
- Photography and videography is prohibited inside the catacombs.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
RomeRoman Catacombs Tour
Top things to do in Rome
Your Catacombs of Domitilla tour options explained
Catacombs of Domitilla Guided Tour
Catacombs of Domitilla and Capuchin Crypt Guided Tour
Capuchin Crypt, Christian Catacombs & San Nicola Basilica Guided Tour
Guide
✅
✅
✅
Transfers
❌
✅
✅
Additional sites
❌
Capuchin Crypt
San Nicola in Carcere, Capuchin Crypt
Catacombs of Domitilla | Quick facts
- Colossal tombs: One of the oldest and largest Christian burial sites in Rome, its tunnels stretch 17 kilometers and reach a depth of about 30 meters.
- Historical significance: These catacombs were built in the 2nd century AD and named after the aristocrat and Christian sympathizer Flavia Domitilla, granddaughter of the emperor Vespasian (commissioner of the Colosseum).
- Art and architecture: Look for Biblical carvings and paintings, such as the famous 2nd-century ‘Last Supper’ or ‘Good Shepherd’ frescoes.
- Current use: Popular site for pilgrimage and historical tourism.
- Accessibility: No
- Key features: Underground basilica, a vast network of loculi (niches for bodies), cubicles (family tombs), and arcosolia (grander rooms).
Where are the Catacombs of Domitilla located?
Address: Via delle Sette Chiese, 282, 00147 Roma RM, Italy
The Domitilla Catacombs are located on the Via delle Sette Chiese, just south of the ancient Appian Way.
By bus: Take bus line 716 departing from Piazza Venezia. Get off at Piazza Odescalchi/Bompiani, then take a 3-minute walk towards the left side of the road to arrive at the entrance.
By metro: Take the metro to Garbatella station and walk approximately 30 minutes to the catacombs.
What’s inside the Domitilla Catacombs?
Underground Basilica
The catacombs feature a unique semi-underground basilica dedicated to Saints Nereus and Achilleus, as well as Saint Petronilla. This basilica, constructed in the fourth century, includes three naves separated by columns and a main altar adorned with a rare depiction of the beheading of Achilleus.
Flavian Hypogeum
This area is one of the oldest parts of the catacombs, dating back to the end of the second century AD. It contains significant sarcophagi belonging to important members of the Flavian family.
Christian symbolism
Inside, you’ll find representations of biblical scenes such as Noah's Ark, Daniel in the lion's den, and various depictions of Jesus with his apostles. There are also non-biblical images reflecting pagan beliefs, such as seasonal personifications.
Frescoes
The walls of the catacombs are adorned with various frescoes that reflect early Christian iconography. Notable artworks include:
- The Cubicle of Ampliato, which contains pagan paintings and a fresco depicting Christ the Good Shepherd.
- A section known as "the Madonna," featuring frescoes from the third and fourth centuries, including an Epiphany scene with the four Magi approaching the Virgin and Child.
Tomb Types
The catacombs consist of various types of tombs, including:
- Niches: Small recesses in the walls for individual burials.
- Arcosolia: Larger tombs with arched tops that often housed multiple remains.
- Cubicles: Small rooms used for burial, some decorated with frescoes.
Frequently asked questions about Domitilla Catacombs tickets
Can you visit the Catacombs of Domitilla without a guide?
No, entry to the Catacombs of Domitilla is only allowed through guided tours. This helps preserve the fragile architecture and provide the best context on the complex history encased within its tunnels.
Are there any age restrictions for visitors, or is it suitable for children?
While there is no age restriction for visiting, the underground passages may not be suitable for very young children or those with mobility issues due to their narrow and dimly lit nature. Children up to 6 years old can enter for free.
What should visitors with claustrophobia or mobility issues consider before visiting?
People with claustrophobia may find the long, dark, and narrow tunnels uncomfortable. Those with mobility issues should be aware that the site involves steep steps and uneven surfaces, making it challenging to navigate.
Which other catacombs or nearby sites can be visited in combination with Domitilla?
You can customize your guided tour with transfers to also visit San Nicola in Carcere, and access the Capuchin Crypt!
Is there a dress code to visit the Catacombs of Domitilla?
Since this is a space of religious and cultural significance, visitors are required to dress modestly. Clothing that covers the knees and shoulders is the way to go.
