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- Roman Catacombs
- Capuchin Crypt
- Catacombs of Saint Sebastian
- Catacombs of Callixtus
- Catacombs of Domitilla
- San Nicola
- Catacombs of Saint Agnes
- Catacombs of Commodilla
- Catacombs of Priscilla
- History
- Appian Way
- Christian Catacombs
- Jewish Catacombs
- Colosseum
- Vatican Museums
- St. Peter's Basilica
- Castel Sant Angelo
- Rome Pantheon
- Borghese Gallery
- Bioparco Rome
- Big Bus Rome Hop-on Hop-off Tours
- Palazzo Barberini
- Musei Capitolini
- Leonardo da Vinci Museum
- Trevi Fountain Tours
- Altare della Patria
- Rome Underground Tours
- Mamertine Prison
- Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica
Basilica of San Nicola in Carcere Tours
Explore Rome’s largest catacombs with an expert guide and optional transfers.
- Jump the long queues at the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, the final resting place of early Christians and popes, with an expert guide.
- Learn from your guide why this sacred underground site, once home to 16 popes, is called the “Little Vatican” and the meaning behind its fascinating frescoes and inscriptions.
- The catacombs are located outside the city center—opt for round-trip transfers for a seamless journey from Rome’s historic core.
- Extend your tour with transfer and entry to the eerie yet mesmerizing Capuchin Crypt, featuring skeletal artwork and a dive into monastic history.
Explore Rome’s largest catacombs with an expert guide and optional transfers.
- Jump the long queues at the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, the final resting place of early Christians and popes, with an expert guide.
- Learn from your guide why this sacred underground site, once home to 16 popes, is called the “Little Vatican” and the meaning behind its fascinating frescoes and inscriptions.
- The catacombs are located outside the city center—opt for round-trip transfers for a seamless journey from Rome’s historic core.
- Extend your tour with transfer and entry to the eerie yet mesmerizing Capuchin Crypt, featuring skeletal artwork and a dive into monastic history.
Inclusions
- Guided tour of Callixtus Catacombs with skip-the-line entry
- Expert English, Italian, German, or Spanish-speaking guide
- Round-trip transfers to the Catacombs (as per option selected)
- Capuchin Crypt access with audio guide and transfers (as per option selected)
Exclusions
- Hotel transfers
- Food & beverages
- Arrive atleast 15 minutes prior to your picked slot.
- There are 50 irregular steps to descend and ascend, with no seating area or elevator.
- Note that tours are not wheelchair accessible.
- There is a strict dress code to follow. Knees and shoulders must be covered due to religious sites.
- Photography and videography is prohibited inside the catacombs.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
See the remains of 4,000 friars with fast-track entry and audio guide, or upgrade for transfers and guided catacombs tour.
- Skip the wait at long ticketing lines and walk straight into the chilling Capuchin Crypt at your chosen time slot.
- See the infamous bone-chilling artwork made of skulls and skeletons while learning about its history and symbolism with your audio guide.
- Level up your adventure on a combo guided tour of Domitilla (except Tuesdays) or St. Callixtus (Tuesdays only) Catacombs, complete with breezy open-bus transfers.
- Go all-in with a full package that includes the Catacombs, Capuchin Crypt, and San Nicola Basilica—plus round-trip AC coach transfers for a seamless experience.
See the remains of 4,000 friars with fast-track entry and audio guide, or upgrade for transfers and guided catacombs tour.
- Skip the wait at long ticketing lines and walk straight into the chilling Capuchin Crypt at your chosen time slot.
- See the infamous bone-chilling artwork made of skulls and skeletons while learning about its history and symbolism with your audio guide.
- Level up your adventure on a combo guided tour of Domitilla (except Tuesdays) or St. Callixtus (Tuesdays only) Catacombs, complete with breezy open-bus transfers.
- Go all-in with a full package that includes the Catacombs, Capuchin Crypt, and San Nicola Basilica—plus round-trip AC coach transfers for a seamless experience.
Inclusions
- Entry tickets to Museum & Crypt of the Capuchin Friars
- Audio guide
- Guided tour of the Domitilla Catacombs (except on Tuesdays) or St. Callixtus Catacombs (Tuesdays only) in English, Italian, German, French, or Spanish with one-way transfers (as per option selected)
- Guided tour of Christian Catacombs and Basilica of San Nicola with round-trip transfers(as per option selected)
- Arrive atleast 15 minutes prior to your picked slot.
- Minors are advised to enter the crypt only when accompanied by an adult.
- Children up to 6, visitors with disabilities (plus one companion), Capuchin friars, and national tourist guides enter for free.
- Note that tours are not wheelchair accessible.
- Photography and videography are prohibited inside the Catacombs.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Itinerary
TOTAL DURATION3 hours 30 minutes
MODE OF TRANSFERA/C Bus
START POINT
Piazza Barberini
Meet your expert historian guide at Piazza Barberini, beside the fountain of Triton. In a morbid tradition, this square once served as a place where unidentified bodies were displayed for public recognition until the 1800s.
0.23 km
1 minute
1
Museum & Crypt of the Capuchin Friars
Tickets included
Tune into an audio guide as you explore the Museum and Crypt of the Capuchin Friars, where underground chapels are adorned with intricate skeletal art, blending the macabre with spiritual reflections.
6.8 km
22 minutes
2
Appian Way Catacombs
Tickets included
Venture into subterranean galleries at either one of the catacombs – St. Callixtus, Domitilla, or St. Sebastian. The site visited depends on the date selected and how crowded it is at the time of your tour. Whichever one you experience will offer a profound journey into early Christian history.
6.9 km
17 minutes
3
San Nicola in Carcere
Tickets included
This medieval church was built over the ancient Forum Olitorium, once home to three temples during the Roman Republic. In the Middle Ages, these temples were repurposed into a prison, giving the church its evocative name, "in Carcere" (in prison). Enjoy an intriguing guided exploration.
4 km
16 minutes
4
END POINT
Piazza Barberini
A unique 3-in-1 tour with round-trip transfers, including a Basilica built over ancient Roman temples.
- Save time and effort with round-trip transfers from central Rome, ensuring a smooth journey between these historic sites spread across the city.
- Explore the Museum and Crypt of the Capuchin Friars with an audio guide, where the remains of 4,000 Capuchin priests adorn the underground chapels.
- Time-travel underground with a guided tour of one of the catacombs along the Appian Way—Domitilla, St. Callixtus, or St. Sebastian—depending on the day of your visit.
- Descend into the Basilica of San Nicola in Carcere to explore the Forum Olitorium, once home to the Temple of Juno Sospita and an ancient market.
A unique 3-in-1 tour with round-trip transfers, including a Basilica built over ancient Roman temples.
- Save time and effort with round-trip transfers from central Rome, ensuring a smooth journey between these historic sites spread across the city.
- Explore the Museum and Crypt of the Capuchin Friars with an audio guide, where the remains of 4,000 Capuchin priests adorn the underground chapels.
- Time-travel underground with a guided tour of one of the catacombs along the Appian Way—Domitilla, St. Callixtus, or St. Sebastian—depending on the day of your visit.
- Descend into the Basilica of San Nicola in Carcere to explore the Forum Olitorium, once home to the Temple of Juno Sospita and an ancient market.
Inclusions
- Half-day tour around the Roman Catacombs, Capuchin Crypt, & San Nicola Basilica
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Groups of up to 20 guests
- Round-trip AC coach transfers from central Rome
- Entry to the Museum & Crypt of the Capuchin Friars with audio guide
- Guided tour of St. Callixtus/Domitilla/St. Sebastian Catacombs with entry
- Entry to San Nicola in Carcere
Exclusions
- Guided tour of the Museum & Crypt of the Capuchin Friars
- Hotel transfers
- Food & beverages
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Fast-track your way into Rome’s second-largest catacombs led by an expert—upgrade for comfy transfers.
- Ditch the ticket lines and dive into Domitilla’s 17km tunnels on a guided tour—Rome’s only catacombs with a still-standing underground basilica.
- Learn lesser-known details about the decorative arches, Biblical frescoes such as ‘Daniel with the lions’ and 'Noah's ark', and pagan-to-Christian burial shifts from your local guide.
- 30 meters down, find a semi-underground basilica unique to the Catacombs of Domitilla, dedicated to martyrs Nereus and Achileus!
- Elevate your tour with a visit to the Capuchin Crypt, where skulls and bones form chilling artwork, and scenic open bus transfers between the sites.
Fast-track your way into Rome’s second-largest catacombs led by an expert—upgrade for comfy transfers.
- Ditch the ticket lines and dive into Domitilla’s 17km tunnels on a guided tour—Rome’s only catacombs with a still-standing underground basilica.
- Learn lesser-known details about the decorative arches, Biblical frescoes such as ‘Daniel with the lions’ and 'Noah's ark', and pagan-to-Christian burial shifts from your local guide.
- 30 meters down, find a semi-underground basilica unique to the Catacombs of Domitilla, dedicated to martyrs Nereus and Achileus!
- Elevate your tour with a visit to the Capuchin Crypt, where skulls and bones form chilling artwork, and scenic open bus transfers between the sites.
Inclusions
- Guided tour of Domitilla Catacombs with skip-the-line entry
- Expert English, Italian, German, or Spanish-speaking guide
- Capuchin Crypt entry with audio guide and transfers (as per option selected)
Exclusions
- Hotel transfers
- Food & beverages
- Arrive atleast 15 minutes prior to your picked slot.
- There are several irregular steps to descend and ascend, with no seating area or elevator.
- There is a strict dress code to follow. Knees and shoulders must be covered due to religious sites.
- Photography and videography is prohibited inside the catacombs.
- If you have opted for the combo tour with Capuchin crypt, note that while Domitilla Catacombs are not available on Tuesdays, when the tour visits St. Callixtus Catacombs instead. Also the transfers would be till Capuchin Crypt only.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Top things to do in Rome
San Nicola Basilica | Quick facts
- Historical significance: Built over the ruins of three Roman temples (3rd–2nd centuries BCE) near the Forum Olitorium, it reflects a rich history tied to ancient Rome and a tradition of a medieval prison on the site.
- Art and architecture: Features a three-nave layout with 14 columns from ancient temples, rebuilt in the 16th century by Giacomo Della Porta and restored in the 19th century. Inside are notable works by Guercino and Antonio Romano.
- Current use: Serves as a minor basilica and local place of worship, particularly for communities from Puglia and Lucania, while drawing visitors interested in its history and architecture.
- Accessibility: Lacks wheelchair accessibility, posing challenges for visitors with mobility issues.
- Key features: Highlights include the incorporation of ancient temple remains, Renaissance frescoes, a unique façade blending medieval and Renaissance elements, and an underground area showcasing Rome's layered history.
Why visit San Nicola in Carcere?
Layered history, literally
Going back centuries, you see structures from the Roman era to the Renaissance, from remnants of ancient temples to revamped façades.
Architectural details
The blend of architectural styles and the ancient columns tell a captivating story, while the crypt beneath reveals ancient Roman structures and artifacts.
Fascinating underground
While the Basilica is tiny, the treasures beneath are worth a visit. Combining a guided tour with other catacombs and crypts gives you a different perspective of Rome’s complex underground!
Spiritual reflection
With numerous little side chapels and divine artwork, this peaceful Basilica offers a respite from the usual throng inside Rome’s churches.
What to see at San Nicola in Carcere?
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Plan your visit to San Nicola in Carcere
Timings
Location
Tips
- Daily: 10am to 5pm
- Mass: Weekdays at 7:30am, 8am, and 6pm; Sundays and Solemnities at 12pm.
Best time to visit
Early morning or mid-afternoon are ideal for a quieter experience, as the basilica tends to be less crowded during these times.
Complete schedule of Roman CatacombsAddress: Via del Teatro di Marcello, 46, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Getting there:
- By metro: The closest metro stations are Colosseo and Circo Massimo. From these stations, you can take bus #160 to reach the basilica.
- By bus: You can also take buses 23 or 870 from Piazza delle Rovere (at the bottom of the Gianicolo hill) to the stop near Tiber Island. Cross the bridge at Tiber Island and continue south along the opposite side of the Tiber for one block. Cross the Lungotevere and take Via del Foro Olitorio to the church, which is on the left
- The basilica is built over three ancient Roman temples. Spot the original columns from temples dedicated to Juno, Janus, and Spes, still visible in the church’s walls and facade.
- Don’t miss the underground chambers, where you can see remnants of the ancient temples. The stairs near the presbytery lead to this hidden archaeological site.
- If you’re visiting independently, set aside at least one hour to explore the entire basilica and its underground.
- Join a guided tour for deeper historical insights and ensures you don’t miss hidden details like inscriptions from the old Roman marketplace beneath the church.
- Located near the Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere, the basilica is a great starting point for exploring Rome’s historic districts. Grab a bite at a local trattoria after your visit!
Frequently asked questions about San Nicola in Carcere
Is photography allowed at San Nicola in Carcere?
Yes, photography is allowed. The lavish detailing of the interiors make for splendid shots!
Are there any dress code requirements?
Since this is a place of worship, everyone must wear clothing that covers the knees and shoulders.
Is San Nicola in Carcere wheelchair accessible?
Unfortunately, San Nicola in Carcere does not have a wheelchair-accessible entrance.
What is the best time to visit San Nicola in Carcere?
Since this is a relatively unknown treasure, it doesn’t get very crowded. However, early morning or mid-afternoon is best for a quieter visit.
Can I take a guided tour of San Nicola in Carcere?
A guided tour is a great way to gain context on this enigmatic landmark. The best part? You can even combine your tour with the Capuchin Crypt and one of the Christian Catacombs on the Appian Way!
How to reach San Nicola in Carcere?
The basilica is right in the center of the city, less than a kilometer away from the Roman Forum. The nearest metro stop is Colosseo.